Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Sep 12: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Thursday ruled out any negotiations or out of court settlement with Karnataka on Mahadayi water dispute issue.

Sawant said that Goa government is firm on its stand on Mahadayi issue that the water would not be allowed to be diverted by Karnataka. “There is no issue of out of court settlement or negotiations.”

Earlier this week, Union Mines minister Pralhad Joshi had suggested that Karnataka and Goa go for negotiable settlement on the water diversion issue.

State’s main opposition, Congress party had opposed any kind of settlement with Karnataka.

Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat told a press conference that inter state water tribunal has already given its award on the issue of Mahadayi river diversion.

“The tribunal has already passed the award. Once the award is passed, I do not think there is any scope for negotiations,” said the former chief minister.

Inter state water dispute tribunal had given its award on the issue last year after which both the states filed Special Leave Petition (SLP) in Supreme Court.