Team Herald
MARGAO: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant while affirming his position on Mhadel said that be it the Union Water Resources Minister Prakash Javdekar or PM Narendra Modi, he would protect the interest of Goa in the Mhadei river diversion issue a 100 per cent.
Speaking after performing Shri Krishna Pooja at Hari Mandir in Margao, Dr Sawant said, “I am not on the issue of Mhadei only because I am CM of Goa but because I am a part of the agitation for a long period of time now. The origin of Mhadei and where it empties into the ocean, I have seen it all and probably some of the politicians have not even seen that.”
“The persons and politicians demanding my resignation have to first ask themselves what they have done for Mhadei. I am very strong on the issue of Mhadei as I am the only Speaker of Goa legislative assembly who has personally visited the site to see what Karnataka has done. It is very easy to make political comments on each other,” Dr Sawant said.
“On the eve of Diwali, I assure that the interest of Goa will be paramount; no other interest, be it political, would be given importance before the interest of Goa,” he said.
“There is no need for a special session on the Mhadei issue. If there is a need for all-party delegation, we will think over it. As the chief minister with my cabinet, we together are capable of protecting the interests of Goa,” Dr Sawant reassured.
On the financial position, the chief minister who is also the Finance Minister said, “The financial position is not created by me in six months. From 2005 to date there is a big period of governance, even if the government is taking loans, it is to have the necessary infrastructure and not to pay salaries.”
He said that he would review the economic policy of the State and the financial planning.
The chief minister also said that a special team will be sent to Delhi to get bio-incinerator plants, which will be installed in a decentralised manner in MMC jurisdiction to dispose mixed garbage of Margao which is giving rise to dark spots.
“We have already prepared to buy and install bio-incinerators and in a maximum of one and a half month period; the same will be set up in two locations. With this, I feel that the garbage problem of Margao will be solved hundred percent,” Dr Sawant said.
