Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that the Opposition is misleading people by false propoganda, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the mere publication of the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal Award in the Gazette does not prejudice Goa.
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His reaction came almost 24 hrs after the Mhadei award notification was published. In a release issued by his office, the Chief Minister said that the award has been published in terms of the directions of the SC.
“In the said order the Hon Supreme Court has said as under: ‘The Interlocutory application is allowed subject to the result of the pending proceedings’,” he said. He added that the pending proceedings mean the appeals filed by Goa andKarnataka against the award.
Further, he said, that the Supreme Court on February 20, fixed the appeals for hearing on July 15, 17 and 22, 2020. “Besides above, the State of Goa, has already filed an application for stay on the operation of the award, upon its publication,” Sawant said.
He also recalled the Tribunal order dated April 17, 2014 which said, “Till preparation and approval of revised DPR and till all permissions in law are obtained Karnataka cannot divert or use water.”
“This order passed by the Tribunal continues to operate,” he added.
Further, he reiterated that the government is fully committed to the cause of protection of the Mhadei and will strongly defend the interests of the State before the Supreme Court.
“In view of the above, mere publication of the award in the Gazette does not prejudice the State of Goa,” he said, adding, “Therefore I appeal to the people of Goa not to get misled by any false propaganda.”
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