PORVORIM:The House today witnessed uproar over Mhadei river water diversion issue, as opposition benches accused government of adopting lethargic and careless attitude towards Karnataka’s illegal diversion of water from Mhadei basin to Malaprabha.
The WRD Minister Filipe Neri, however told House that the govt is determined to protect its future water security in the Mhadei basin by forestalling all diversion of water from the Mhadei Basin.
He also said that Goa has vigorously and single-mindedly explored all avenues, legal and administrative to safeguard its legitimate interests in the Mhadei basin. No efforts have been spared in pursuing its objectives. He informed that the state has not lost legal battle as of now.
“Constant vigil has been maintained to detect all instances of violation of the Tribunal’s award and other orders by Karnataka to initiate prompt legal and administrative action. The Government is determined to protect its future water security in the Madei basin by forestalling all diversion of water from the Mhadei Basin. These efforts will also ensure protection of the basin ecology,” said WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues
A joint calling attention was moved by Luizinho Faleiro, Digambar Kamat, Vijay Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte, Aleixo Lourenco, Sudin Dhavalikar, Ravi Naik, Vinoda Paliencar, Jayesh Salgaonkar pointing to the governemnt its lethargic approach in dealing with the matter and attempts by Karnataka to divert the water inspite of the matter being subjudice has caused damage to Ecology of Goa.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte questioned the state governemnt as to why it was ignorant allowing the Karnataka to divert the water of River Mhadei.
“I still do not understand what stops the Sawant led governemnt when they have their governemnt in Karnataka as well in the centre,” said Khaunte
Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai took on the Sawant led governemnt alleging that the lawyers who fighting the caseon behalf of the state governemnt sold the river to Karnataka.
“I demand that lawyers appeared on behalf of state for thematter should be sacked,” Sardesai said
CM Sawant, also, refrained from making any statement further citing that the matter is subjudice before Supreme Court of India.
“I agree that Mhadei river is diverted by Karnataka illegal; matter to come for hearing in the next 15 to 20 days in supreme court,” said CM Sawant
“We will do whatever required to protect Mhadei. There will be no compromises neither we will come under any pressure to protect the lifeline of Goa: CM Pramod Sawant, urging the MLAs to be united on the issue,” said CM
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat demanded for delegatio to be lead to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find a political solution to the Mhadei issue.
NCP MLA Churchill Alemao urged all 40 MLAs to hold one day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to seek attention of the Central govt and judiciary to protect the interest of Goa on Mhadei issue
Further, WRD Minister said informed that the next date of hearing is yet to be notified and that it was learnt through reliable reports that Karnataka had submitted revised DPRs of Kalasa and Bhadura projects to the CWC for appraisal.
“In the proceedings before the Tribunal, Goa had led evidence based on scientific studies for reserving adequate yields for environmental flows. In its award however the Tribunal has not earmarked any specific quantity of water for environmental flows,” Rodrigues told House
He further said that Goa has also placed on record its objections before the CWC against considering Karnataka’s PFR/DPR. CWC have acknowledged that they have noted the issues Goa has flagged. “They have also assured that they would bring Goa’s views to the notice of the competent authority in CWC and the Ministry of Jal Shakti before taking any decision,” he said