Mahadayi interlocutory order is inappropriate distribution of water
In the struggle for water that lasted for nearly 20 years affecting North Karnataka region such as Dharwad, Vijayapura and others there has been a respite to the problem, finally. The Mahadayi Tribual has given its interlocutory order in case of Mahadayi water sharing issue between Karnataka and Goa. The tribunal has admitted that Karnataka has a right on the water of this river that originates in the border area of Karnataka and flows into Goa.
But the fact that Goa gets high share of water in this distribution is something that would turn into a bone of contention in Karnataka. According to this order, Karnataka gets 13.42 tmc ft and Goa gets 24 tmc ft water for themselves. Moreover, the tribunal has rejected Goa’s plea that Karnataka should not be allowed to channel water to Malaprabha river basin, or use for any other purpose. This aspect is more than welcome. Though the order is very satisfactory, this is not total justice to Karnataka. The state should approach the Supreme Court to claim entire share of the water.
The farmers of the region have been demanding this since a long time, and justifiably so. The struggle began in Navalagund and Naragund then spread to Bailhongal, Badami, Guledgud and Bagalkot as well. People took to streets unmindful of the fear of action by police. About 11 people died and many sat on a dharna before the houses of BJP MPs and MLAs in North Karnataka. They demanded that the BJP legislators should pressurize their party that has assumed power at the centre to ensure justice for them.
Former CM Siddaramaiah had taken all party delegation to Delhi regarding this issue. Though they requested PM Narendra Modi to intervene and sort this issue out, the PM didn’t respond positively. The tribunal provided an opportunity for Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka to discuss and reach an agreement on this matter. Even the then Congress government had shown interest in this approach. But the BJP government at the centre acted rather irresponsibly including even those governments in Maharashtra and Goa. PM Modi gave the most callous answer stating one should go to him after the leaders of opposition parties in Goa and Maharashtra arrive at a consensus on the issue.
The MPs and MLAs of BJP from Karnataka sat silently before PM Modi. Yeddyurappa in a speech had said Goa BJP government was all set to sort this issue out, and that Goa CM Parrikar had written a letter to him in this regard. He even showed a letter to the effect. But Parrikar had not shown any such inclination and was rather irresponsive about the issue.
Yeddyurappa had staged this whole episode to convince the people of Uttara Karnataka that they were trying their best to find solution to this issue. In reality, Yeddyurappa has sat silent before the PM when all party delegation met him. Though the interlocutory order is some solace, this is one step in right direction. Now the state can approach the Supreme Court. The tribunal has allowed any drinking water project to be taken up by Karnataka and has fixed separate share of water for drinking water and hydroelectric project purposes. State has to consult the experts on this before taking further step.
Karnataka had sought 7.56 tmc ft water for drinking purpose. The state would surely be happy with 13.37 tmc ft water that has been allotted as its share. The government has to call for a meeting of experts, farmers and elected representatives to take the next step towards ensuring more water is allocated to it. Central Water Commission has opined that Karnataka should get 42 tmc ft water but it has got only 13.37 tmc ft. This means this water can be used to drink and generate power, and share the same water with Goa again.
State has not got water that is needed for agriculture. During monsoon, state should not be forced to flow its share of water into Malaprabha river. We can get water from Kalasa owing to geography and gravitational force. But since Banduri is in higher space, this water has to be lifted using other techniques. If farmers’ fields have to be provided with water, the channels have to be dug and made functional very soon. The government will have to take suggestions from the experts regarding this. The tribunal has agreed to the fact that 188 tmc ft water can be used. This is a moral victory for Karnataka. Only 38 tmc ft water has been distributed among three states now. The other 150tmc ft water is not being distributed. Before Goa approaches the higher court, Karnataka should take the first step and ensure it gets more water. The distribution could have been more appropriate to ensure Karnataka didn’t feel wronged. But since this distribution is inappropriate, Karnataka naturally feels it has got the lowest share. This has to be rectified at the earliest.
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Islamabad locked down ahead of planned protest by Imran Khan's party in Pakistan
Islamabad (PTI): Amid stringent measures put in place by the Pakistan government to thwart the protest march on Sunday, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party is preparing to proceed with its highly anticipated march towards Islamabad.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has called on the public to join the march to "break the shackles of slavery."
The federal government has taken several steps to block the protest, including deploying heavy security forces, sealing key roads, and setting up barriers around the capital.
The Interior Ministry has emphasised that, in accordance with court orders, no protests or sit-ins will be allowed in Islamabad, and any attempts to disrupt public order will be met with legal action.
Khan, in a statement, urged the masses to unite for the protest, calling it a movement for freedom and justice.
The PTI leaders earlier on Sunday held a high-level meeting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s House to finalise the strategy for the planned protest, Geo News reported.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that he will arrive in Swabi at 3pm to oversee the preparations for the planned protest and lead the party's march to Islamabad, the report added.
The chief minister also directed the party's activists intending to attend the march to reach Swabi by 3pm.
Ignoring calls by the government to postpone the protest – the second one in as many months – Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) declared to go ahead with its planned march to Islamabad coinciding with the arrival of a large Belarusian delegation even as the authorities issued a warning of a potential threat during the protest.
The PTI gave a call last week for a long march to Islamabad to press for three demands: the release of the incarcerated party founder and other leaders, against the alleged “stolen mandate” during February 8 elections and restoration of the judiciary by revoking the recent 26th amendment to the Constitution that granted legislators more power in appointing top judges.
Meanwhile, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has opted not to participate in the protest but will oversee the convoys from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's House.
In preparation for the protest, Islamabad’s federal government has fortified security measures, sealing off several key roads and blocking routes leading to the Red Zone, where critical government buildings are located.
Containers have been placed across the city, including along the Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and the Expressway, limiting access to strategic areas like D-Chowk, Islamabad Airport, and the A-11 point at New Margalla Road.
Rangers, along with police and Frontier Constabulary (FC), have been deployed to monitor the area. The federal government has also warned against any unlawful protests, stating that no one will be permitted to hold a demonstration in violation of judicial orders, with legal action promised against any violators.
Also, Pakistan Railways has suspended all train services between Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar in light of the ongoing PTI protest, the Express Tribune reported.
According to railway authorities, services between Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, as well as between Multan and Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, have been halted immediately.
Additionally, all 25 train bookings for Sunday, November 24, have been cancelled, and passengers will receive immediate refunds for their tickets.
The suspension of services and the cancellation of bookings have impacted daily commuters and travellers, as Pakistan Railways responds to the security situation surrounding the ongoing protests.
Section 144 – which prohibits gatherings of individuals – has been in effect in Islamabad since November 18. On the other hand, the Punjab government too has enforced Section 144 across the province from November 23 to November 25, banning protests, public gatherings, rallies, and sit-ins.
Despite the heightened security and restrictions, the PTI has remained persistent about proceeding with its protest march and subsequent sit-in to press for its demands.
Additionally, internet and mobile services have been partially suspended in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab as a precaution.
Users in Islamabad are facing partial disruptions in internet services at various locations, while it remains unhindered in neighbouring Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, mobile services also remain fully operational in Rawalpindi.
Public transport, including metro bus services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has been halted, and all bus terminals at Faizabad, linking the twin cities, have been barricaded.
Khan, 72, has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022. He has been in Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi since last year facing, according to his party, over 200 cases; got bail in some of them, convicted in some others, and hearings going on for some more.
Khan's party won the largest number of seats in the February general elections despite contesting as independents as the party was denied an election symbol and the PTI chief has already alleged that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partners, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had “stolen the mandate” to grab power at the federal level.
Relations between the PTI and the PML-N-led coalition government -already tense since Khan’s ouster in 2022 - have strained even more in recent times.
