Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has once again assured that Union environment ministry will not act against the interest of Goa on the contentious Mhadei issue. He also emphasized that any further action on proposed projects should be taken only after the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the plea filed against order of the Tribunal.
“Goa government’s stand is very clear that Centre should take any step on this issue (like allowing permissions) only after the plea filed before Supreme Court challenging the award by Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal is decided,” he told reporters on the sidelines of Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav held at Dona Paula on Thursday.
Responding to another question over demands for withdrawal of the Environmental Clearance to Kalsa Bhanduri project on Mhadei River, Sawant allayed apprehensions by certain groups and Opposition parties that Goa’s interest will be compromised. He claimed that he is hundred per cent sure that Union Minister Prakash Javdekar would act positively on the demand of Goa.
“We have demanded that the letter be withdrawn; if not, then it should be kept in abeyance, so that it is rendered invalid. There will be no problem if the letter is kept in abeyance. We have said that if they want to do anything as far as Karnataka’s request on Mhadei is concerned, they should take us into confidence,” he added.
On the political scenario in the State, Sawant was asked whether Goa’s Cabinet would be reshuffled to which the he replied, “No.” “There is no cabinet reshuffle. There is nothing planned,” he said.
