PANJIM: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) BhupendraYadav on Saturday smartly avoided commenting on the Mhadei river inter-State diversion issue by stating “will comment after studying all the facts”.
Addressing mediapersons at the BJP headquarters in Panjim, Yadav said that he is not a scientific expert to comment on Mhadei and that the issue is being discussed at the State level between Goa and Karnataka.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“Presently the issue (Mhadei) is discussed at the State level. When it comes to us (Ministry), we will scientifically study the facts and then take a decision based on expert opinion,” he said.
Yadav was speaking in the presence of State Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral and BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade. Tanavade even tried to stop the media from raising questions on Mhadei.
Yadav said that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who holds the charge of Jal Shakti ministry, would be able to comment on the issue.
The Union government recently approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by Karnataka for the proposed construction of the two dams.
The Goa government contends that Karnataka cannot divert water from the river as it passes through the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, located downstream in North Goa.
When pointed out that the issue also concerns the Environment Ministry, Yadav said, “Without studying the facts, how can I comment? When the related applications and expert opinions come before us, we will study all the facts and take a decision.”
He even refused to comment on whether as Environment Minister he feels it is right to divert water from a wildlife sanctuary.
When queried about the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Yadav said that Home Minister has to speak to the Chief Ministers of the riparian States. “Discussions must happen in federalism,” he added.
