Team Herald

PANJIM: Two days after conducting a public interaction on the proposed National Waterways project, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday announced another discussion across the table on the issue along with the coal expansion project, with the people opposing it.

However, he clarified that issues pertaining to declaring six Goan rivers as of national importance cannot be solved by the State. 

Speaking to media persons, Parrikar, indirectly referring to the ongoing protest on handling of coal at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and declaring rivers as National Waterways said he is ready to sit across the table and discuss the issue with the people opposing certain issues.

“There is no reason for demonstration or public protests. But reasonable time has to be given to the State government (to sort the issues),” he said.

Parrikar said that people who protest against certain issues should know the nuances of it (the issues).

“The issue like declaring rivers as National Waterways cannot be solved by the State government. It is Parliament that has enacted a law which has given them control over the rivers. If someone doesn’t agree with the law, they should approach the Supreme Court and get it scrapped. I am not saying it out of anger,” he commented.