K'taka ready for Assembly resolution on river dispute with

Karnataka government is ready to move a resolution in the Assembly seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in resolving the inter-state Mahadayi river dispute, a minister today said.
Water Resources Minister MB Patil made the statement in the Assembly as JD(S) demanded House resolution, by entering the Well of the House.
Responding to the Minister's statement, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said a notice has to be given before moving a resolution.
As Patil said he will go by the procedures, JD(S) members, who were in the well of the House, went back to their seats.
BJP, which is opposed to any such resolution, has instead suggested that the Congress government in the state should convince their party colleagues in Goa and Maharashtra about out of court settlement to the issue.

Parts of north Karnataka are seeing protests demanding implementation of Kalasa-Banduri canal project, over which the state government has locked horns with neighbouring Goa.

The Kalasa-Banduri Nala (diversion) project, which will utilise 7.56 tmcft of water from the inter-state Mahadayi river, is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.
It involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri, tributaries of Mahadayi river, in order to divert 7.56 TMC to Malaprabha river which adhers to the drinking water needs of the twin cities.
Earlier Goa government had rejected Karnataka's attempt for out of court settlement of the dispute stating that the people of the state felt it was more prudent to settle the dispute through the Tribunal.

The issue was raised by JD(S) member N H Konareddy as a matter of public importance. He demanded that the House pass a unanimous resolution seeking Prime Minister's intervention.
The minister said a meeting of all political parties and stake holders had been convened by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the future course of action.
As Konareddy demanded that a resolution be passed, the Speaker said he will have to look into it as the House resolution should also get a respectable response.
Intervening, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said for a resolution there should be unanimity of the House and all its members. Pointing out that BJP is not in favour of it, he questioned the party's commitment in solving the issue.

Angered by this, BJP members hit back at Siddaramaiah
accusing him of politicising the issue. They also advised him to convince opposition parties in Maharashtra and Goa.
Minister Patil said according to rules a resolution cannot be passed regarding the matters pending before the court or tribunal, "but we can pass a resolution seeking PM's intervention."
As BJP members opposed this, Speaker Thimmappa said "come to a conclusion on passing a resolution during the meeting called by the Chief Minister on April 2."
Confusion prevailed for some time as JD(S) leader H D Revanna said the Minister has already moved the resolution

As Speaker sought the clarification from the Minister, Patil said he is ready to move the motion in the House seeking the Prime Minister's intervention.
The Speaker then directed him to give the notice on it first.