PANJIM: Congress on Monday demanded that State government should release a Status Report on Mhadei River water diversion.
Addressing the media persons, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) senior leader Ramakant Khalap demanded that government should make public the present status of Mhadei River water.
“Due to COVID pandemic the government has completely forgotten Mhadei issue or has rather ignored it in last three months. But media has been very much vocal on the issue,” Khalap said.
Former Union Minister said that government should release a Status Report on Mhadei River, including its flow, diversion by Karnataka if any and quantum of river water.
“There have been reports that the water level has drastically reduced and it will have castigating impact on the ecology as well as drinking water for the State,” he said.
On March 2, the Supreme Court rejected Goa’s plea to stop Karnataka from starting work on the Mhadei, but said that Karnataka could begin work only after getting required permission from Centre and preparing detail project report (DPR).
Pointing to Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari’s virtual rally held on Saturday, Khalap said the people were expecting some statement from the leader to protect River Mhadei.
“But we were left disappointed,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, GPCC President Girish Chodankar and General Secretary Agnelo Fernandes along with Khalap addressed a joint press conference in the backdrop of Virtual Rally of Gadkari.
The leaders slammed Gadkari for failing to give any relief to the people of Goa on issues such as resumption of mining activities, GST compensation of Rs 750 crore, Mhadei issue, and financial package for Goa on COVID crisis, etc.
