PANJIM: The activists, NGOs and opposition parties have come together under the banner ‘Save Goa Save Mhadei Front’ and have given a joint call for the second Opinion Poll on January 16 to protect and save Mhadei River, which is facing a major threat of water diversion by Karnataka.
Calling out as “people’s movement”, the Front has convened a public meeting in Sanquelim to impress upon the Centre to withdraw the permissions granted to Karnataka’s Kalasa-Bandura drinking water project.
NGOs like Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA), Goencho Ramponnkarancho Ekvott (GRE), Goencho Avaaz, Savera, Parshuram Gomantak Sena along with some individual activists and social workers and political parties like Congress, Goa Forward party (GFP), Aam Aadmi party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) addressed media persons in Panjim.
The Front appealed to all like-minded people including political leaders to join them in their battle to save Mhadei. They said that this is an opportunity to showcase Goa’s united strength to Centre and Karnataka.
Addressing mediapersons, Front convenor Hrudaynath Shirodkar said that the Front is a people’s movement and not a political movement. “Hence, all NGOs, activists and political parties are seen on a common platform with a sole agenda to save Mhadei,” he said.
“This movement is for the second Opinion Poll where the only point is to save Mhadei. Our fight is not with any political party or leader but with a State like Karnataka which is fighting with eight other States for river diversion,” he said.
Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) member Prajal Sakhardande asked, “When people in Karnataka can unite, keeping their political differences aside, for Mhadei, why can’t we in Goa?”
“Despite having a strong judiciary case, we lack political support. With only 2 MPs at the Centre, we are not able to fight against Karnataka having 28 MPs,” he said.
Sakhardande said that though Centre has approved a modified DPR of the Kalasa-Bhandura (canal) drinking water project, MoEF&CC is yet to grant EC and FC for the project which is crucial.
He said that the Goa government should make a strong pitch to ensure these clearances are not granted.
GRE member Olencio Simoes strongly condemned the Centre government’s act. He said that any diversion will also have a cascading impact on the fishing community. He said, “It’s time that we create necessary awareness on Mhadei across the State.”
Congress’ general secretary Srinivas Khalap appealed to all political parties and supporters to keep political differences and fights aside and unite to save Mhadei. “There should not be any political interest in this fight,” he said.
