PANJIM: Amidst ongoing debate following his letter to Karnataka BJP leader agreeing for bilateral talk on the Mhadei water diversion for drinking purpose, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday categorically stated that Government will neither compromise on the State interest nor on the trans-basin diversion matter pending before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT).
Addressing media persons, Parrikar, said that State will not accept any kind of pressure on the issue and his letter to Karnataka BJP President BS Yeddurappa was not out of pressure.
Defending his decision to write to Yeddurappa instead of Karnataka government, Chief Minister said “I don’t have trust on the people governing Karnataka. There is a trust deficit with them on Mhadei issue and hence we wanted to have a tribunal. If not, we would have not asked for tribunal”.
Expressing unhappiness over the ongoing controversy surrounding his letter, Chief Minister said that his letter is so clear that he don’t see any reason for someone to object or protest. “I stand by my letter. My letter is perfect legally. And I have taken all the interest of Goan into confidence. It is without prejudice. It only says that we are ready to have bilateral talk for reasonable quantum of water in the parameters of the tribunal, who had suggested to try and work out amicable solution in 2015”.
“Our main objection before the tribunal is trans-basin diversion. Mhadei is a deficit basin and hence we have objected to the same before Tribunal. We are not going to compromise on that issue. That is the matter before tribunal. Something before tribunal will not be compromised at any cost,” he assured.
“When you are in political field, you are bound to take certain decision but not compromising state interest. Without compromising State interest, whatever I can do within the legal framework I will do,” he said adding “I am beyond any pressure”.
“We have not accepted any pressure nor the centre has accepted any pressure, the matter is before tribunal and let tribunal decide it,” Parrikar said accusing then Congress government of sabotaging State’s interest on Mhadei issue.
The Chief Minister said that he will expose Congress on the floor of the House during the forthcoming Budget Session of the State Assembly, beginning from February 19, next year. “In the next assembly I will produce document how when the 2000 election came near, Congress sabotage the interest of the State,” he said.
Stating that he has just agreed for talks and not release of water, Parrikar said that the current issue of Mhadei is only of trans-basin diversion. He said that nearly 35 kms river flow in Karnataka, 16 kms in Maharashtra and 52 kms in Goa.
Parrikar said that it was he who fought for Mhadei issue since 2002 before Tribunal and hence he is well verse with the subject and the consequences. Taking a dig at the protesting activists and media persons, Chief Minister said “When the matter resume in tribunal in 2012, I was attempting to get good witnesses before the tribunal. We contacted so many NGOs and activists, of whom only Rajendra Kerkar came forward and deposed. I had even contacted these protesting people personally”.
“Now I have got the list of 70-80 people who are experts on Mhadei and I will write to them that they should come and depose before tribunal as witness so that Goa case become more strong. I will give the list including names of journalist, NGO, activists to Nadkarni (senior counsel Atmaram Nadkarni),” he stated.
When asked by when the talks with Karnataka are expected to begin, Chief Minister said that the neighbouring State will go for code of conduct in next one-two months and hence there is no discussion.
“Hearing in Tribunal will commence during that time and the decision will be out,” he said pointing that Tribunal term is slated to end in August, 2018.
