AG Nadkarni lambasts govt for delay, red tapism on Mhadei issue

TEAM HERALD

PANJIM: Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni who is leading team Goa before the Mhadei Water Disputes tribunal has ripped apart the Parrikar administration for not getting the required studies conducted, projects report prepared and EIA’s conducted to make a strong case, before the Tribunal that Goa needs the Mhadei waters for its own projects.

In a six page confidential  “professional opinion” to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, on September 12, Atmaram Nadkarni has said “I can emphatically state that if this is the state of affairs then the Goa government should thank itself in having such officials in the administration whose acts are good enough to prejudice the interest of the state government.”

The note adds “I do not think that the state government will stand any chance if the administration works at the same pace (as) against the state of Maharashtra and Karnataka. They are way ahead of us as they had planned the same systematically and we have lagged behind.” (edited slightly for brevity).

It’s important to note that in the current dispute Goa has with both Maharashtra and Karnataka over the Mhadei waters, which is the lifeline of Goa, both states are pushing for diverting the waters through canals to feed their basin and even their out of basin requirements. While Goa has managed to get an interim order asking Karnataka to build a retaining wall on the Goa border to ensure flow of water through Goa and not through their canals, Goa’s future success in getting water depends on two key factors

a) Show through studies that if the Mandovi gets less water, salinity levels will go up because of the sea water in Goa

b) Show serious intent of using the Mhadei water by showcasing 61 projects along the river for which detailed project reports (DPR’s) and environmental impact assessments were done. 

The tribunal has ordered all data, studies and DPRs to be submitted before December 2, 2014. Goa is in no position to submit a single shred of data by then. It just so happens that the judge heading the tribunal had a medical issue due to which Goa now has time till February, a lifeline if ever there was one.

The AG’s note states that none of the 61 projects to be ‘depicted before the tribunal” have EIAs done nor have detailed project reports been done.

In case Goa fails to meet the February deadline, it will lose a lot of ground to Karnataka as well as Maharashtra, two states which will then claim a larger share of the waters citing Goa’s inability or lack of need for the waters which would be better used by diverting to its neighbouring states.

IIT Powai ( the chief minister’s alma mater) and other experts are waiting to start work once all the administrative approvals are given. In his note, the AG outlines how crucial files have been delayed at various stages. The key file of the award of work was moved by the Water Resources Department on May 21, and cleared by the secretary minister and finally the CM on May 26, 27 and 28. The Finance Department raised queries after the CM’s approval almost a month later (23.6.14) and sent back to the WRD Department. Finally the proposal was placed before cabinet on August 5 with a note to finance for reconfirmation. “However it is seen that the cabinet note is still in the process of approval”, the AG’s note stated.

He added “This is an extraordinary matter wherein the lifeline of the state is involved and the state is not to take chances by tossing the matter in a typical casual style.”

The AG has recommended immediate steps on a “lightning basis” to undo the damage. In a serious indictment of the bureaucracy, he has signed off by stating, “These so called bureaucrats who are creating obstacles should be made to understand that the interest of the state is more important than their over enthusiasm with red tapism which is also pregnant with extraneous considerations”

It is learnt that the chief minister has now asked a principal secretary level officer to be the nodal officer to holds weekly review meetings and monitor the progress of work on a day to day basis to salvage the situation.