Water revolution to be a referendum like Opinion Poll

PANJIM: Activists and groups are gearing up to launch a water revolution to stop the diversion of River Mhadei, the State’s lifeline and save Goa’s water resources.

A crucial meeting of both, members of Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) and Save Mhadei Save Goa has been convened in Panjim on Friday (June 16) to decide the plan of action for the water revolution scheduled at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on Sunday (June 18).

It is learnt that the MBA which is spearheading the battle in the Supreme Court opposing the sinister designs of Karnataka to divert Mhadei water would extend its support for water revolution and will make an appeal to the people to support candidates fielded by the activists in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

“When we are fighting to oppose diversion of Mhadei water and protect ecology, we expect people supporting the movement, should extend their support to candidates fighting elections on Mhadei plank,” said one of the MBA members refusing to come on record claiming that it was his view and that he would express it during the Friday meeting.

Former Minister and MBA convenor Nirmala Sawant, secretary Rajendra Kerkar, Save Mhadei Save Goa convenors Adv Hrudaynath Shirodkar and Prof Prajal Sakhardande, Mahesh Mahambrey will attend the meeting.

Supreme Court lawyer Adv Bhavanishankar Gadnis, representing the MBA will also attend the meeting and brief activists about the status of the case pending before the apex court.

When contacted, Adv Gadnis said, “The water revolution will be a referendum like the famous Opinion Poll held in the State to maintain Goa’s identity.”

It will be a referendum where people should vote to protect Mhadei or go with any political party including ruling BJP. It will be crystal clear that people cannot simply support the movement or else support political parties, he said.

According to Adv Gadnis, the interlocutory application filed by the State government restraining Karnataka from going ahead with water diversion is unlikely to come up for hearing early because Goa Wildlife Board is yet to decide.

Any construction work to be undertaken in the Mhadei basin to divert water into Malaprabha basin has to obtain prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden as per the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, the court had said.