CM SAYS GOA NEVER GAVE CONSENT FOR MHADEI DIVERSION
OPPOSITION SAYS, “SWALP, SWALP ATITUDE WILL NOT WORK, WE WON’T “TUMBA, TUMBA” ATTITUDE
Goemkarponn Desk
PORVORIM: Coming to a cropper under Opposition attack, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today countered Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement and clarified that Goa never granted any consent to Karnataka for the Mhadei river diversion.
The Opposition today cornered the state government on the issue of Mhadei, claiming that the state has lost the battle as Karnataka has diverted the river.
“Have not given any permission to divert the Mhadei river water while responding to allegations. PRAWAH will be notified after the ongoing Lok Sabha session,” said CM Sawant.
He said that government will do ‘whatever’ has to be done for the Mhadei river, ‘legally and politically.’
“No matter what anyone says, we are firm in our decision and will do whatever has to be done for Mhadei, legally, politically, and technically. We are taking whatever steps need to be taken,” Sawant said.
Sawant said that establishing the authority will help prevent illegal water diversion, and it also reaffirms that Union Govt will not allow any injustice in Goa.
“The State Government is closely monitoring the case and the activities of the State of Karnataka. The activities of Karnataka before the MoEF, CWC and other authorities are being closely watched,” he added.
CM said that a physical visit to Kalasa and Bhandura sites is impossible as Karnataka is physically obstructing such visits.
“At one point, Karnataka Police had detained the officials from Goa during a site inspection. However, all attempts are made to keep the State of Goa informed about any movement of Karnataka at the site,” he added.
WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar said that Goa is honestly working towards the protection of Mhadei.
“This matter is sub judice. There will be no compromise made on Mhadei,” said Shirodkar.
Leading the attack, Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai questioned CM Sawant on a statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that Goa CM was taken along in the decision on the Mhadei water diversion.
“Sawant, who goes to Karnataka and makes an appeal to the people to re-elect to power the very government which is illegally taking Mhadei waters, has no right to continue in office,” he added.
Sardesai said that when the Karnataka government is out to destroy Mother Mhadei, and our Chief Minister is appealing to re-elect the same government there, it shows that our government is out to sell Mhadei.
Leader of Opposition (LOP) Yuri Alemao said that the Swalp, Swalp attitude will not work; we need Tumbha Tumbha’s attitude from Our CM in regard to the Mhadei issue.
He further charged, “Goa CM has become a star campaigner for Karnataka CM, who has committed robbery of Goa’s lifeline.”
