from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Mar 8: Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane on Thursday ruled out any further talks with Karnataka government over Mhadei river water diversion issue.

"In past we have discussed with Karnataka chief minister along with a minister from Maharashtra over the issue. Now there is no more question of discussing issue with them," Rane told the state legislative assembly today.

Goa is objecting Karnataka's decision to block Mhadei river water by constructing dams and diverting it to Malaprabha basin. The case, in this regard, is fought in Supreme Court.

"We have taken Maharashtra government into confidence as it (river) also runs through (Maharashtra). We are ready for talks with Maharashtra but not with Karnataka," the chief minister said.

The opposition benches today grilled water resources minister Philipe Nery Rodrigues on the issue. Rane, rushing to the rescue of minister, said that the state government has taken all the necessary initiatives, including legal remedy to arrest Karnataka government's diversion plans.

"Karnataka is dangerous with water. We feel that Congress-led government is adopting slow attitude acting on the commands given by a senior Karanaka congress politician," leader of opposition, Manohar Parrikar, had alleged during the discussion.

The chief minister, however, said that the state government has engaged top lawyer who was involved in the dispute between tamil nadu and Karnataka, cauvery water dispute.

"We are also engaging another one or two lawyers.   We have made a strong case," the chief minister said adding  that government of India is not (not) going to sit quiet on the issue.

He conceded that Karnataka have dug half a kilometre trench near Kankumbi (Goa-Karnataka border) to which Goa government has objected.