PANJIM: Goa Forward Party (GFP) that had spearheaded the movement against nationalisation of waterways, on Wednesday accused the government for keeping the State in the dark about the blanket consent granted for nationalisation of six rivers and alleged that the move is basically for privatisation of waterways for crony capitalists.
GFP President Prabhakar Timble also expressed the fear that the move could be to facilitate re-location of offshore casinos in rivers like Sal. “Chief Minister of Goa lied to Goans and kept Goans in the dark while giving blanket consent to nationalisation. GFP had warned that nationalisation has nefarious designs of the Central government to privatise Goa’s rivers and hand them over to crony capitalists.”
The Union Ministry for Shipping in a reply before the Rajya Sabha confirmed getting the Goa government’s full support to river nationalisation, even as there has been mounting opposition to it.
“The State government should answer as to why the consent was given without any consultation with stakeholders and political parties,” Timble said demanding that the Chief Minister tell Goans about the present status of the rivers, their right and future of river resources.
“The nationalisation of rivers under the National Waterways Act, gives all powers to the Centre. Such a move will have a devastating impact on the environment, river wealth and the livelihood of those dependent on this resource,” the GPF leader said.
