PANJIM: Ahead of an all-party delegation’s meeting with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on the Mhadei issue, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clarified that the Centre has not granted Environmental Clearance (EC) to Karnataka for the Kalasa-Bhanduri project. He also slammed the agitation launched by some opposition leaders claiming such steps will not resolve the issue.
“They don’t know the issue and pretend they have enough knowledge on the subject. They are demanding withdrawal of the EC, but the fact is that EC is not granted. But nevertheless we have said that the same letter should be withdrawn,” he said on the sidelines of the Governor’s swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Sunday.
The CM will be leading an all-party delegation to Delhi on Monday which will also have the presence of Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, MGP’s Deepak Dhavalikar and Goa Forward Party leader, most likely its president Vijai Sardesai.
The apprehension that Environment Ministry has given EC to Kalasa-Bhanduri project will also be discussed. “The union minister had written a letter to Karnataka regarding one of the projects, which is not Kalasa-Bhanduri. They have said that Environment Impact Assessment is not required for irrigation project by rule. It did not mention about EC,” he reiterated adding that he has been regularly discussing with Javadekar about the controversy surrounding the issue.
“He (Javadekar) has said that it has happened at bureaucracy level and let delegation come and he will explain officially to all. He has also told me that he is sensitive about Goa and its interest. He will take appropriate decision in the interest of Goa,” he added.
The CM also recalled that he has been taking personal interest on Mhadei River issue for several years and has always worked towards protecting Goa’s interest. Sawant further stated that Advocate General Devidas Pangam, who will also join the delegation to Delhi, has thoroughly examined the matter to be placed before the union minister.
Sardesai on Saturday flew to Delhi to take legal opinion into the issue even as he has confirmed taking part in the meeting with Javadekar on Monday. He along with Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and several others including activists are booked for blocking the national highway at Porvorim to protest government’s lacklustre attitude towards the issue, on Friday. They also demanded to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of Javadekar for a solution in Goa’s favour.
