MARGAO: In a letter to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Congress’ Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has said the meeting with his Karnataka counterpart on Mhadei is establishing a wrong trend.
Reginaldo said, “Earlier, the Chief Minister before Karnataka election had given a letter to then Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddiyuruppa about the Mhadei issue settlement. By convening the meeting with Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Goa is establishing wrong trend, which will be detrimental for Goa’s interest”.
“As both Maharashtra and Karnataka have filed petitions before the Supreme Court against share of water given by the tribunal and matter is due for hearing. Now, there is no need to convene meeting and arrive for amicable settlement,” he said.
“Goa’s Chief Minister should not forget that he is not representing BJP but his first priority is to protect and safeguard the interest of Goa. Goa government has failed to finalise and implement the water policy, the draft of which was introduced by Dayanand Mandrekar as the then WRD minister” Reginaldo said.
Following the retirement of Premanand Kamat as additional Chief Engineer in the Mhadei matter, no new person has been appointed.
Reginaldo recalled that last monsoon it was brought to the notice that water of the Kalasa nullah had been diverted through the two vents into Malaprabha River. This year too diversion of the Kalasa water is in progress. Goa government should seek clarification from Karnataka pertaining to illegal diversion of water.
Reginaldo alleged that Goa government is not serious in conducting joint inspection with regards to violation by Karnataka at the Kalasa project. The master plan for Mhadei was prepared in 1999. Already decade has passed and no action has been taken by WRD to prepare a new master plan in the context of climate change and global warming.
