PANJIM: A group under the banner, ‘Our Rivers Our Rights’ has petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his immediate intervention to remove all six Goan rivers from the National Waterways Act, 2016, thereby dropping the plan of river nationalisation.
The group also called on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar demanding not to sign the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the State, Centre, and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on the proposed nationalisation of rivers.
“People all over Goa are furious and up in arms against the totally, illegal, unconstitutional and anti-national attempts to nationalise our rivers and are willing to go to any extent to prevent our rivers and appurtenant lands from being grabbed for private profits of a few corporations, for coal transportation or any other reason,” Convenor Adv Ohm Stanley said in the petition to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has also been informed that gram sabhas across the State are spontaneously and unanimously resolving to oppose the river nationalisation and coal projects. “The conservation of our river commons is essential for promotion of our rich culture and traditions, sustainable economic growth through renewed agriculture, fisheries and related activities and for protection of our environment – the economy of our children to come,” Stanley said.
“We demand that Prime Minister recognise the urgency of the situation and immediately intervene to remove all six Goan rivers from the Schedule attached to the National Waterways Act, 2016 and also drop plans for using Goa for coal transportation,” the group petitioned.
They have charged the State and Central government of misuse of power, alleging that the people were kept in dark about the decision. They said that despite severe opposition and protests, the government is silent.
“This obvious betrayal of the electorate is recognised by the masses, who are getting increasingly angry and agitated,” they said.
The group has asked the Chief Minister to direct all government agencies not to sign the MoU which is currently under review and to stop all steps being taken in furtherance of the proposed nationalisation.
