PORVORIM: The govt has allayed apprehensions that Goa’s six rivers declared as National Waterways will be privatised barring traditional fishermen and locals to access the otherwise public place.
“We are carrying out the development works (like dredging of the rivers) using central funds. State govt doesn’t have resources for this purpose; therefore we are taking Centre’s help. But we will not take private partners for this purpose,” said CM Pramod Sawant.
He was replying to a starred question tabled by Congress MLA Reginald Lourenco, who had expressed fear that once privatised, traditional fishermen would be barred from carrying out their fishing activity along with denying locals access to the jetties.
“I want an assurance from the CM that it will not be privatised, because if the project is given on PPP, the jetties will be a private property. They (private players) will form their own rules, levy fees, etc,” he alleged apprehending privatisation of the rivers under the Central project.
The CM slammed the legislator for creating confusion over the subject, which was vehemently contested by Lourenco who said he will table documents obtained under RTI, on the floor of the House.
In his written reply, Minister for Ports Michael Lobo said there is no nationalisation of rivers however, as per the Inland Waterway Authority of India Act 2016, the six rivers of national importance have been declared as National Waterways (Mandovi, Zuari, Mapusa, Chapora, Sal and Cumbharjua). “Rights of the State government will remain same as per sections 27(1) and 27(2) of the IWAI Act and Indian Ports Act besides Goa Port Rules,” the minister said.
The Centre has already stated that it would spend on development of the rivers and the ownership of the waterbodies would remain with the State government. It maybe recalled that former CM (late) Manohar Parrikar had reiterated that the State would hold ownership of the waterbodies. Some groups had alleged that traditional fishermen and those dependent on rivers would lose authority over it. However, the State refused the allegation that the Centre and State were trying to facilitate coal transportation through this project.
