PANJIM: Strongly condemning the central government’s decision to accord environmental clearance to the ‘illegal’ Kalsa-Banduri project, Congress alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre, Karnataka and Goa have conspired to sacrifice the lifeline of Goa, Mhadei.
Congress said it would not allow even a drop of Goa’s rightful water to be diverted to anyone else and that it was “going to drag this government by its neck on the streets and make it not only apologise for betraying the people of Goa but correct this wrong immediately”.
Congress State President Girish Chodankar stated that BJP governments at the Centre, Karnataka and Goa have conspired to sacrifice the lifeline of Goa, Mhadei, which is also known as Mandovi, in spite of being fully aware that it would create total disaster in the tourism State.
“This is a complete sell out, keeping an eye on forced upcoming Karnataka Assembly election,” he charged.
Chodankar has also asked why Ayush Minister and Goa’s North Goa MP Shripad Naik had kept quiet in the cabinet meeting and did not oppose the outrageous crime committed against Goa, which would primarily prove fatal to the very existence of his whole North Goa constituency.
He charged that Centre has tampered with the tribunal’s decision to share the water amicably and has also acted in violation of legal verdicts and environmental norms.
Chodankar has also questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, whose constituents of Sanquelim would be directly affected due to this ‘unimaginably horrific decision’. “What is more disgusting is the silence of the Health Minister Viswajit Rane from whose own backyard the Mhadei enters Goa and also the Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues who just played to his new masters to betray Goa of its precious water,” added Chodankar.
‘Convene Spl Assembly’
Leader of Opposition Digamber Kamat has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to call for a special assembly session to discuss the fate of Mhadei River, the State’s Lifeline.
In his tweet, the former CM also questioned whether the government is above the law. He questioned how the Centre could grant EC to Kalasa-Bandhura project when the Mhadei issue is sub judice. “Is the Government above Law? Mhadei matter is sub judice & Environment Ministry grants clearance to Kalsa-Bhanduri project. Blatant violation of Law. Demand @goacm to call Special Assembly Session to discuss on the fate of Lifeline of Goa,” he tweeted.
