Team Herald
PANJIM: In view of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Karnataka that the Centre had resolved the long pending Mhadei dispute and allowed Karnataka to divert water for its dam projects, Goa’s protectors have demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should make a public statement on Mhadei river diversion issue in Goa at a public rally scheduled on Sunday.
Shah is arriving in the State on Sunday, to address a public rally at Farmagudi.
Save Mhadei Save Goa co-convenor Prof Prajal Sakhardande said, “We demand Home Minister Amit Shah to make a public statement on Mhadei diversion before coming to Goa.”
Sakhardande alleged that “Shah was the architect of betrayal on Mother Mhadei and during a public rally at Belagavi in January this year, where he openly admitted that the Central government resolved the long dispute and allowed diversion of Mhadei waters to Karnataka in consultation with the Goa Chief Minister, to satisfy the thirst of farmers of many districts of Karnataka.”
“Mhadei is the lifeline of Goa and Goa’s thirst is quenched by Mhadei,” he said and added that Shah is aware of the destruction it will cause in the State if Mhadei is diverted by neighbouring Karnataka.
Former minister and Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) convenor Nirmala Sawant said, “In the current situation of climate change every sensible person is trying to save Western Ghats. If Mhadei water is diverted then Goa’s tourism paradise is lost forever. I appeal to the Centre not to cause destruction of air, water and earth by allowing Karnataka to divert Mhadei water.”
Sawant hoped that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will make the stand clear and Home Minister Amit Shah will take a decision in the interest of the State.
Environmentalist and MBA Secretary Rajendra Kerkar said that the Home Minister’s statement at Belagavi was unjust for Goa. “When the Mhadei dispute is before Supreme Court, how can Shah make a statement?”
Kerkar demanded that Shah in his public address should clarify the Mhadei matter and take a decision in the interest and wellbeing of the Goan community.
