PANJIM: The activists have slammed Goa government for its “soft approach” on the inter-state water dispute issue with Karnataka and termed the recent move by the neighbouring State to go ahead with hydropower project by diverting Mahadayi river water as “complete betrayal”.
The Mahadayi Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) has urged Goa government to be on “high alert” as implementation of hydropower project will have devastating effect on State’s water supply as well as on the biodiversity.
Activist Adv Hrudaynath Shirodkar said “sale of Goa continues”. “The soft approach of the BJP led government has caused Goa very hard. Pramod Sawant and his government have ensured that Mahadayi is sold out completely…Neither the government nor CM was serious on the issue,” he said.
Another activist and Congress leader Meghashyam Raut said that the Karnataka government’s act clearly shows that Goa has sold out Mahadayi to them. “BJP government in Goa fooled people and now the fact is before everyone…Government remained inactive on Mahadayi issue since matter was in Supreme Court…Karnataka continue to act while we remained silent,” he said.
Green activists like Rajendra Kerkar are far more annoyed with the Goa government for its “soft approach” on the inter-state water dispute. “No doubt that the matter is in Supreme Court but why no efforts made to fast-track the hearing? Since no interim relief was given by SC to us, Karnataka is doing everything they could,” he said.
Kerkar said that pending matter in the Supreme Court, Karnataka cannot go ahead with the work of hydropower project. “Karnataka will have to take permission from Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Board of Wildlife,” he said.
“Government needs to be on high alert. If this project comes up then it will destroy the forest and it will affect Goa badly,” he said adding large impact on water supply, biodiversity will be witnessed.
MBA convener Nirmala Sawant said that State needs to immediately intervene to ensure that the project is stopped at this stage itself. “We will have to take swift action,” she said.
