MAPUSA: Former Union law minister Ramakant Khalap has appealed to all the panchayats, municipalities and Zila Parishads to convene emergency meetings of their respective bodies and pass an unanimous resolution condemning Goa, Karnataka and Central governments for their brazen attempt to ride roughshod over the interests of Goa over River Mhadei.
“River Mhadei and its various tributaries flowing down the Western Ghats sustain the lives of people of Goa. Mhadei is our lifeline and is like mother Ganga for us and we will fight for it till the end,” he said.
“All the panchayats, municipal councils and zila parishads should announce their determination to fight for Mhadei and all the other rivers flowing in to Goa by passing a resolution by holding special meetings. They should include into the resolution that they condemn Karnataka government for its attempt to divert the river and also condemn Government of India for its partisan attitude and call upon the governments of both Karnataka and India to refrain from trampling upon the rights of the people of Goa and ensure the continuous flow of the river into Goa,” Khalap added.
He said that for the preservation, conservation and protection of River Mhadei and all the rivers flowing into Goa from the Western Ghats, people will have to take these steps.
“The local self governments should also include in the resolution that the Goa Government prepare a master plan to augment the supply of fresh potable water through appropriate steps like construction of small and medium bandharas across rivulets and also ensure free flow of fresh water to rivers, khazans, ponds and back water which are affected by salinity brought in by tidal effects as they are dependent upon continuous flow of fresh water for maintaining the fragile ecosystem sustained and protected over millions of years by manmade infrastructure like dykes, bandh and sluice gates,” Khalap added.
“Keeping aside the political differences, everyone should fight for Mhadei since it is for the benefit of the people of Goa and not a political issue. I also call upon all the MLAs to move a similar motion in the ensuing assembly session,” Khalap appealed.
“The Mhadei dispute is in Supreme Court as well as in Tribunal. Goa Government till date has spent crores of rupees on the lawyers who have taken up these cases. However, we are not getting any desired result of the same. Sine past 30 to 40 years I am in this field and practicing as lawyer. I would like to offer my service to Goa government as lawyer and advisor till these cases could conclude with minimal fee of Re 1 for my service,” Khalap said.
