PANJIM: Taking a tough stand for the first time in the controversy, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has threatened legal action against MoEF& CC over the environment approval to Karnataka if the ministry’s reply does not come in favour of Goa.
The MoEF&CC letter to Karnataka on Mhadei saga is expected to continue for some more time as Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javdekar has sought another 15 days to resolve the issue.
Sawant convened a meeting with the Union Minister, which was also attended by Goa Foundation’s Claude Alvares, Prajal Sakhardande, Mahesh Mhambrey, former MLA Lavu Mamledar, Hryudaynath Shirodkar and Goa Forward’s Durgadas Kamat.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister said that all sections, NGOs raised their issues concerning Mhadei which is a good sign.
“My point is the same. There are no two ways about it. I again reiterate that the letter given by MoEF&CC to Karnataka has to be withdrawn in the interests of Goa,” he said.
Substantiating the letter issued by the minister yesterday, Sawant said the people must not misinterpret it, as the letter clearly states that Goa’s memorandum is being studied by the committee to determine whether the project is really for drinking water or not.
“He assured us that within 15 days he will decide on the matter. Hence, in the State’s interest we have to be united. There is no work going on the project right now, so there is no point in shouting. The work has been done long back. I think we can definitely give another 15 days to the minister,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister, however, assured Goans that in case the reply does not come in Goa’s interests, then the State will take legal action against MoEF&CC. “I will also be with the agitators in case the letter is not withdrawn. The government will file its own case against MoEF&CC,” he said.
Emerging from the meeting, Claude Alvares said they do not believe Javdekar on the issue. “Whatever Javdekar has said today, we do not trust, as he says the letter was issued by lower rank officers. We do not believe this,” Alvares said.
He added that the minister has all the authority to suspend or withdraw the letter. “Letter should be suspended immediately. Entire work done by Karnataka at the site is illegal, no permissions have been taken. By giving this letter of environment approval, the ministry has regularised all illegalities,” he charged.
Alvares alleged that MoEF&CC has given the letter only because of the Karnataka by-elections. “There is nothing called environmental approval in the MoEF laws. They are fooling people in Karnataka more than Goans. There is no basis to issue such a letter. It is a political circus. Environment Clearance cannot be given just like that, hence all this new circus is being played,” he said.
Historian Prajal Sakhardande also charged that the letter issue is because of the Karnataka by-elections. “He has asked for 15 days, we think it is due to by-elections in Karnataka, as they end on December 5. We asked him whether Goa is politically negligible, but he says he is fully in the interest of Goa,” he said.
Sakhardande also said they have put their demands for withdrawal of letter. “We will continue our agitation till we accomplish this,” he said.
Former MLA Lavu Mamledar said that the Karnataka government is trying to use the Central government for electoral gains in the State. “But the loss will be for Goa. We must all unite and agitate otherwise there would be nothing left for posterity,” he said.
