Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar will attend the October 21 meeting on the Mhadei water diversion issue with his Maharashtra and Karnataka counterparts with the all-party meeting on Monday giving him the mandate to ensure that the State’s interests are not compromised.
“I will attend the meeting with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka on the Mhadei issue. It does not sound proper that the Tribunal suggests that three States should meet and try to find the amicable solution, but I agree to attend the meeting. Hence I will be attending it,” Parsekar told reporters after chairing the all-party meeting called by the State government on the issue.
Karnataka’s dismal past record on heeding Goa’s genuine water needs will cast a shadow about the forthcoming meting resulting in a win-win for Goa. (See Edit on the subject on page 8 for details) Not surprisingly leaders of the opposition parties, however, expressed reservations on finding an amicable solution to the dispute, as has been directed by the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT).
Representatives of the Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA), Nirmala Sawant and Rajendra Kerkar, who were present said the government should not compromise on State interests for political appeasement. They informed the government that Goa has a strong case before the tribunal.
“I will attend the meeting to respect the sentiments of the Tribunal but I will ensure that the interests of the State are not compromised at any cost. We will fight to protect our river Mhadei,” Parsekar said.
“All the participants at the meeting were unanimous that we should not waste time in discussions with the neighbouring States as it will affect the pace of the case,” Parsekar admitted, adding that it is not fair to refuse to meet the chief ministers of the States.
When questioned whether Goa is looking for amicable solution on the issue, Parsekar refused comment on it.
The BJP was represented by president Vinay Tendulkar and MGP by senior leader and Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar opined that Chief Minister should be part of the all State meeting but should stick to the demand of opposing diversion of water from the Mhadei basin.
Goa is currently in dispute with Maharashtra and Karnataka over diversion of Mhadei river water. The MWDT had directed all three States to find an amicable solution to the issue. Goa’s case is currently very strong as it has objected to diversion of water on accounts of wildlife and environment protection.
Congress expressed its unhappiness over the CM’s decision to participate in the meeting. “Karnataka has shown scarce respect for the law. They have gone ahead with the construction of a canal to divert the Mhadei River water in their territory. To hold a meeting with their (Karnataka) chief minister when a case is pending before the tribunal will be of no use. Besides the tribunal, Goa should take up the matter with United Nations, National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court”, state Congress president Luizinho Faleiro said.
He said the tribunal is seized of the matter and there are no powers for the chief ministers to do anything on the issue. “Everybody felt that CM should not go but even if he is going, he should ensure that the interests of the State are protected,” Faleiro said adding the Congress requested the Chief Minister to ask Karnataka to demolish the dams they have illegally constructed.
