oa is sharply divided on political lines where the River Mhadei is concerned and that can only harm the interests of the State where water sharing is concerned. It has already happened, and unless all the political parties set aside their differences and come together, this will only get worse. In a late night development Goa learnt that the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal award of August 2018 had been notified, a move that is effective immediately. This means that Karnataka can begin to divert the water that it has been allotted, even though a petition filed by Goa challenging the award remains pending in the Supreme Court.
This is what results when politics is played out on issues of such major import. The entire State has to be on a single page on this issue. The notification has caused accusations and allegations to be levelled, which is natural, but this is not the time for it, as this merely diverts attention from the main issue. The focus should be on what steps the State will take to safeguard Goa’s interests, and protect for Goa the waters of the Mhadei. We cannot divert from the issue, as the diversion of waters from the basin will be detrimental to the State.
We don’t know whether the Goa government has deliberately compromised on the issue, as is being alleged by the opposition, but Goa definitely was not pro-active and allowed the award to be notified. The notification, as published in the gazette, clearly states that Goa did not oppose Karnataka’s plea to notify the award. The government has to explain why it took this course, when it was aware that once the award was notified it would not be in Goa’s benefit. The government has definitely failed to protect the interests of Goa on a very important, sensitive and emotive issue, and owes the people an explanation. It was only 24 hours after the award was notified, that the Chief Minister released a statement that was full of rhetoric and had little of substance.
Since October 2019, the opposition has been seeking a special debate on the issue in the Assembly. There was no such debate on the Mhadei issue allowed, but now such a discussion assumes added importance so that the polity can display their unanimity on how to move forward on the issue. It has to be a joint fight of Goa, and not based on any partisan party interests that could be detrimental to the State. It should not matter to Goa which party is in power in Karnataka or Maharashtra. What is of paramount importance is saving the waters of the River Mhadei – the prized River Mandovi. The river is the lifeline of Goa which is a water deficient State, this cannot be overlooked when deciding on the action to be taken.
The battle for the Mhadei has been a long one, and the tribunal award has not put an end to it. In October last Goa was caught napping when Karnataka was given environmental approval to carry out its project on the Kalsa Bhandura nalla. It is fair to say that Goa has been caught slumbering again. How much longer will the State continue the fight for the waters of the river? And how will it end? Neither have Goa’s three Members of Parliament failed to make a case for the State on the issue, nor has the government been able to convince the Centre of the State’s needs. This does not inspire much confidence that Goa will be victorious in the battle. For that to happen, we will need a new strategy with a will to see this through.
