VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: After protests from a handful of opposition legislators, NGOs and activists that Goa’s six rivers would be ‘nationalized’ on signing the tripartite agreement and the Manohar Parrikar-led government has made the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) public, clarifying and stressing repeatedly that even after being declared as ‘National Waterways’ the State would continue to enjoy all rights.
Unlike other States, CM Parrikar maintained Goa would get its power back after signing the MoU and its rights would not be infringed upon, either by the Indian Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) or Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). It was after initial reluctance, Parrikar claims, that IWAI agreed to incorporate certain clauses into the MoU which ensure that Goa’s Captain of Ports Department retained rights over the rivers.
As per the draft MoU, the right over the waters of all the rivers, including river stretches to be undertaken for development by IWAI; river beds, river banks, existing infrastructure and the riverine land will be vested with the CoP department as before.
So also, the department will identify and propose various development projects to be carried out in the rivers, which would be financed by the IWAI and executed by MPT, taking into consideration the technical/financial and environmental /public sensitivities of the State into account. It emphasises that IWAI and MPT would implement projects in the rivers in agreement with Goa government.
CoP would be free to independently carry out any infrastructure development in the National Waterways utilising its own funds and the revenue generated thereof would only accrue to the State government. So also, all the existing revenues collected will be solely accrued to CoP.
The State’s powers also includes ensuring unrestricted development and utilization of National Waters by regulating the existing fishing activities carried through stake net fishing, barrier net, river gill, river cages and fishing by any registered gear. For this, the draft copy states, views of local fishermen will be taken into consideration before finalization of a site for development by CoP and IWAI. Once signed, the MoU, would be valid for a period of five years and the CM empahsised that it would decide to extend or make changes to the agreement based on the performance during this period.
An interaction over the contentious issue on Monday, December 11 witnessed several people raising apprehensions that Goa’s rights would be curtailed. However, Parrikar took the onus on himself to reiterate that the State would not lose the rights and yet get funds from the Centre. “Rights over the rivers are already vested with the IWAI through an Act passed in the Parliament in 2016. If MoU with IWAI is not signed, the powers over the rivers will remain with the Centre. We will have to approach the Centre for even small permissions like building of jetties,” Parrikar said.
The government has also clarified that rights of fishermen and other community would not be affected while also the existing CRZ will remain without any changes even after signing of the MoU. The government has also made it loud and clear that it will not allow enhancement of coal transportation through the rivers.
The Information and Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte, who was amongst those attending the presentation, claimed the government has discussed the MoU on a public platform and is open for more clarity. “All issues regarding the National Waterways were discussed and CM has given the answers. Even if they (people) still have more queries, it should be sent across for more clarity… CoP coming in the picture itself shows rights of State government to decide what needs to be done and what not,” he said adding that draft has been discussed.
