Mhadei water dispute: K’taka witness cornered over ignoring Goa’s needs.
Witness of Karnataka A K Bajaj was extensively cross-examined before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal by senior counsel Atmaram N S Nadkarni.
Bajaj was asked as to why he failed to consider the various water requirements of the state of Goa.
It was pointed out to the witness that his estimation of Goa’s water needs, as stated by him in his report of 2016, was incorrect, precisely because he had only relied upon the Master Plan of 1999 and the detailed project reports (DPRs) on record.
The witness sought to respond to the same by feigning ignorance and disassociated himself with the same, to which he was confronted with the fact that at the relevant time he was officiating as the chairman of the CWC and also in fact a signatory to the approved modified DPR of 2009 and therefore disassociation was not an option and the only recourse left to him was to admit fault and accept the incorrectness.
However, the witness was unable to respond satisfactorily.
It was then pointed out to the witness that initially the yield calculated in respect of the Malaprabha dam was 47.25 TMC, however, in the year 2009 it was sought to be revised to 27 TMC, the alleged water scarcity was noticed precisely during the very same period when there was a drastic increase in the cultivation of sugarcane; which is widely recognised as a water guzzling crop.
The witness was unable to justify the same and attempted to dodge the question by giving evasive answers.
Water Resources Minster Vinod Palyekar also attended the hearing for around 3 hours and took considerable interest in the matter.
Further cross-examination will continue on Monday.