Team Herald
MARGAO: Accusing the Central Government of being “unfair and undemocratic” towards Goa, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on Thursday, in a letter to the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, has requested to take all possible legal measures to protect the ecological devastation of Goa resulting from the proposed Kalasa-Bhanduri project from the Mhadei basin.
Demanding that all possible legal options should be explored in the apex court to protect Goa’s rights on Mhadei, Reginaldo brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the statement of the Marcaim MLA, Sudin Dhavalikar that the water level in Mhadei River has reduced drastically.
“The former PWD Minister is of the view that Goa State will have water shortage after May 15, 2020 as water level in most dams is dropping. We should not forget that the Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar has been “unfair and undemocratic” towards Goa when it comes to protecting our State’s right on Mhadei” he said.
“I would also bring to your kind notice that Goenkars feel that their State Government while being in the midst of its current fight against the global COVID-19pandemic has completely forgotten its other pressing problems including Mhadei, which incidentally is a source of drinking water for 43 percent of Goa’s population,” the MLA said.
“I feel dejected as our State’s rights are being sold to Karnataka and that is the worry for both South and North Goa. This issue is being echoed in various forums across Goa by environmentalists and farmers,” Reginaldo added.
“The Supreme Court has listed Goa’s contempt petition on May 12 and hearing on this matter of Special Leave Petition on July 15, 2020. I am keen to know on behalf of the people of Goa what is the stand of the Goa Government on this crucial Mhadei case,” he questioned.
