Team Herald
PANJIM: While the opposition has launched a State-wide protest against the failure of the Central and Goa governments to protect River Mhadei, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant expressed ‘confidence’ and ‘faith’ in the Central leadership, stating that the result would be in favour of Goa.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, Sawant said ‘wait and watch’. “We have not compromised on Mhadei issue and we will never do so. We are firm on our stand that the letter has to be withdrawn,” he said, and added, “I have full confidence and faith in the Central government and Prakash Javdekar (Union Environment Minister), that whatever decision they take it will be in Goa’s favour only,” the Chief Minister said.
Pointing to the protest undertaken by Congress and Mhadei Bachao Andolan, a non-political forum, Sawant said, “People should not take credit once Ministry takes decision in Goa’s favour. No one should take fake credit. 10-15 people standing with placards on road should not feel that they pressurized government. I am still saying wait and watch.”
Refusing to give details, Sawant said that Goa Forward Party’s petition on the Mhadei issue before the National Green Tribunal has put the State in trouble. “I will speak on the petition, which is dismissed by NGT, once Central government takes its decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress claimed that their digital campaign launched to accelerate pressure on the government on the Mhadei issue is receiving an overwhelming response on social media.
“The digital campaign will have one awareness poster released on digital media every day and will involve all twelve talukas of Goa in its first phase,” Congress general secretary Amarnath Panjikar said. He said on Monday, the poster was released in Pernem taluka.
Panjikar also demanded that the government immediately withdraw Section 144 imposed in the State in wake of the Ayodhya verdict, earlier this month.
A month ago Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted approval to Karnataka’s Kalasa-Bhandura water project over River Mhadei. An all party-delegation led by Sawant met Javdekar and requested withdrawal of the letter, but the Union Minister formed a committee to study the project details, as Karnataka claims it is purely a drinking water project.
Thereafter, the Chief Minister, held a meeting with Javdekar during his visit to Goa, wherein Sawant warned to take legal action against the Ministry if the letter is not withdrawn in 15 days.
