Team Herald
PANJIM: Activists under ‘Save Goa Save Mhadei Front’ on Friday demanded resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for “compromising Mhadei” to protect his chair.
Addressing a press conference, the activists urged the government to prevail over Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) not to grant Environmental Clearance and Forest Clearance to Karnataka for the Kalasa-Bhandura water project. They also said that Goa could still put a strong case before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a contempt plea against Karnataka for illegal diversion of Mhadei river water.
Adv Hrudaynath Shirodkar accused Chief Minister of betraying the state’s interest in the ongoing legal and political battle against Karnataka over the water of River Mhadei. He said that the Chief Minister is a “puppet” of Central government.
“Chief Minister is nothing put a puppet. His only aim is to protect his own chair at the cost of people and Goa. Mhadei is a best example of how he has compromised State’s interest for his political gains,” he said.
He said that when the contempt petitions are pending in SC, how could the central government clear the project? “This is completely politically motivated,” he said.
Front member Mahesh Mhambrey said that the Mhadei deal was struck during Chief Minister’s Delhi visit.
“The deal was finalised during CM’s visit to Delhi, wherein he met the top leader of the country. He compromised Mhadei for his chair, for so called development of the State,” he said.
Mhambrey demanded immediate resignation of the Chief Minister for his failure to protect Mhadei. “Also, if he is really concerned about river Mhadei, he should resign as mark of protest,” he said.
Historian Prajal Sakhardande said that though Centre has approved a modified detailed project report (DPR) of the Kalasa-Bhandura (canal) drinking water project, MoEF&CC is yet to grant environment and forest clearances for the project which is crucial. He said that Goa government should make strong pitch to ensure these clearances are not granted.
