PANJIM: Fifteen days after the all-party delegation submitted its memorandum, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Prakash Javdekar has decided to constitute a committee to study Goa’s objections in detail.
Javdekar, in a letter to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday, refering to the Goa memorandum dated November 4, regarding the Kalsa-Bhandura Project of Karnataka, said, “It is informed through your memorandum that the proposal submitted to the ministry is more than a drinking water project and thus required to be reviewed in detailed by the Ministry.”
He added, “In this connection a committee is being constituted to look into the issues raised in detail.”
Immediately after receiving Javdekar’s letter, the Chief Minister took to social media to express his satisfaction over the minister’s reply. ‘Received letter from @Prakash Javdekarji, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change. I am happy that MoEF&CC has taken due cognizance of our representation submitted by all party delegation & as stated in the letter, has constituted a committee to examine the issue,” Sawant tweeted.
He added, “I am confident that the committee will soon deliberate and safeguard Goa’s interest with a favourable decision.”
The CM justified the committee appointment as the Centre needs to study the matter, which Goa said is not for drinking water.
Later in the evening Sawant said, “I have spoken to him (Javdekar). In no way, there would be injustice meted out to Goa. Within a short span of time whatever needs to be done for Goa, will be done so.”
On Monday, Sawant had urged Goans to have patience over the issue stating that his government will not compromise on Mhadei water diversion.
The development comes a day before Javdekar, who is also Information & Broadcasting Minister, arrives in Goa to inaugurate the golden jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of India.
Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik also reacted to the letter saying he is happy that Javdekar had taken note of Goa’s concerns regarding Mhadei. “I hope action is taken to address our concern on the issue,” he said.
In October Javdekar had issued a letter to Karnataka granting environmental approval to the contentious Kalsa-Bhandura project, which had attracted much criticism. Following this, the all-party delegation, alongwith NGO Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan had met the minister, who had assured to revert within 10 days.
