Bengaluru: Karnataka would not benefit if Goa government limits discussion on sharing Mahadayi waters just to meet the drinking water requirements within the river basin, according to Water Resources Minister M B Patil.

Pointing to media reports that highlighted Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s letter to BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa, Patil, in a statement, said if the discussion between Goa and Karnataka only touches on drinking water needs, it would not help the State in any way. Parrikar on December 21, 2017, had written to BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa stating that Goa is prepared to hold a discussion for providing drinking water to drought-prone areas of the State.

According to media reports, now Parikkar is saying that Goa would not agree for diversion of river water from one basin to the other,” the statement said.

“Goa Chief Minister has been frequently changing his statements. It is surprising that Yeddyurappa is silent on the statements of Parikkar,” the minister said in the statement.