Political churnings will keep muddying the waters of the Mhadei, playing with the water, as if it were a commodity that can be traded for political gains. When Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had tweeted that environmental approval had been granted to Karnataka’s Kalasa-Bhandura project, allegations had first been made that this was to gain the trust of the southern State’s voters in view of the by-elections that are scheduled there. The latest twist that the issue has taken increasingly supports that allegation.
The all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant that met Javadekar on the Mhadei issue earlier this month had a very specific demand. It was that the environmental consent given to Karnataka for the Kalasa-Bhandura project be withdrawn. It was a simple demand, it could not be misunderstood. There was an assurance that Goa’s interests would be protected, and the State had been promised a reply in 10 days. That reply in writing came, more than 10 days after the meeting and after some political fencing between the parties here, but whether it does protect the interests of Goa depends on which side of the fence you are sitting.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, the Union Minister stated that a committee is being appointed to study Goa’s contention that the diversion of water is not merely for drinking purposes but for other uses. According to the Minister the issue needs to be reviewed in detail and hence the ministry will set up the committee.
This was not the reply Goa was hoping for. Goa wanted the environmental consent withdrawn and that has not been done. Instead a committee will be formed to review Goa’s claims. So the environmental consent given to Karnataka stands. Goa hasn’t achieved much. In fact it has gained almost nothing, as the approval stands, with no assurance from the Centre that Goa’s demands will be met, if the claims are proved. Besides, there is no date by which the committee will be constituted, there is no time frame for it to review and report on the issue, there is no clarity on what will be the terms of reference of the committee. It does, as pointed out by Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai, appear to be nothing other than a delaying tactic.
The Opposition, and rightly, has panned the contents of the letter from the Union Minister. Those in the government have welcomed it, but by accepting this letter, Goa dilutes its demand for withdrawal of the environmental consent. What if the committee that will be set up finds in favour of Karnataka? What will be the stand of the Goa government if it comes to this? The least that the State government can do is register its protest on this reply, unequivocally stating that it will accept nothing less than withdrawal of the environmental approval granted to Karnataka. This reply has to go to the Centre post haste, allowing no complacency on the part of the government.
The Mhadei stirs up strong passions in Goa, and across the spectrum there are protests, with some planned to coincide with the arrival of Javadekar to inaugurate the International Film Festival of India today. This in itself should be a clear indication to the government that the letter from the Union ministry is not acceptable to the people. Rather than take political sides on the issue, the State has to stand as one on this so that the waters of the river are protected. The calls for a people’s movement that does not bow down to party dictates that have political undertones. Protecting the Mhadei should be an issue that is kept beyond politics.
