PANAJI

The Centre has rejected Goa government’s request to appoint Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni to appear on the latter’s behalf before the Mhadei  Water Disputes Tribunal.

Goa government had filed a disobedience application with MWDT against Karnataka in August for an injunction against diversion of Mhadei water to Malaprabha basin.

CM Manohar Parrikar had requested to the Centre through a letter for the appointment of Nadkarni to fight the case.

In a reply to Goa government’s request, water resource minister Nitin Gadkari said that the Central government is a neutral party and would not interfere in river disputes among the states and therefore it would not be just for the central government to allow Additional Solicitor General to represent a particular state for inter-state river disputes.