Withdraw letter or we move NGT: CM to Javadekar

PANJIM: Stating that the State will not compromise on the Mhadei issue either political or otherwise, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said there was no Environmental Clearance granted to the Kalsa–Banduri project and it was just an “environmental approval.”

Addressing a press conference, Sawant said the State has lodged a strong protest with the Central minister and asked him to withdraw the letter immediately.

Sawant also threatened to move the National Green Tribunal if Goan sentiments are not heard.

Stating that the State was kept in the dark and the matter came to the fore only after the Union Minister Prakash Javadekar’s “tweet”, Sawant said “I have already spoken to the union minister twice since yesterday and expressed the State’s sentiments.”

“In fact, I was supposed to meet him tomorrow in Delhi but he is leaving for China tonight. Nonetheless, I have asked our Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar to submit a letter asking for a withdrawal. AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik ji will also speak to his colleague on the issue,” he said.

Sawant said the State would also lodge a written protest on the matter. 

“Mr Javadekar understood the sentiments of State and has agreed to correct the wrong,” Sawant said.

To a query, Sawant said the State will wait for some time till Javadekar returns from China for further action.

“We will give him some time and after that approach the NGT if the letter is not withdrawn,” he said.

Asked whether the Centre or Union Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi had spoken to him on Mhadei, he said, “I have not been told anything about the issue.”

He also replied in a negative when asked whether the Mhadei and mining resumption was a quid pro quo arrangement with Centre.

“Mhadei is our lifeline, our mother and we will not compromise on it in return for anything,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the State is taking the issue very seriously and accordingly, a delegation has also been sent to Delhi to speak with the Centre.

“If need be, I will ask the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter,” he said.

Sawant said the delegation led by the Principal Secretary to CM P Krishnamurthy left for Delhi to look into the matter.

“AG Devidas Pangam and Water Resources Secretary are also in Delhi,” he said.