Mhadei issue: I am hopeful of justice, says MBA chief

HERALD: Will the Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan ensure to take the fight till the end to ensure Goa’s victory?

NIRMALA:  Definitely, Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan is working to save Mhadei for the last 21 years. This fight started in 1996 when former MLA of Khanapur V.Y. Chavan wrote a letter to me as PCC president and brought it to our notice that diversion work is likely to start and since then all like-minded people came together and Rajendra Kerkar is one of them. We huddled and held meetings. If Mhadei is to be diverted it will a disaster. So far, the common man was unaware of the word Mhadei and they termed it as a matter of Maharahstra and not a concern for Goa so why fight for the cause…!!! on October 2, 2006, Karnataka laid the foundation and in November 16, 2006, they filed the petition and then we were free to go the court. Meanwhile, the government kept thinking about distribution of water and how it was going to do it and what shall be the share or the ground reality. But in 2007 when we approached the court it was on protecting the flora, fauna and forest. The Western Ghats had to be protected under the Forest Act. We are grateful to the Chief Justice, K.G Balakrishnan, Justice Kapadia and Justice Harijeet for admitting the case. 

HERALD: Though Karnataka has assured SC it will not undertake construction work, how far do you trust it considering past experience? 

NIRMALA: Their population is more than ours and hence their agitations and demonstrations are manifold, but I am hopeful to get justice. 

HERALD: Do you feel that Goa Government is serious in its fight before the Mhadei Tribunal?

NIRMALA: I don’t know how serious the Government is and hence should not be commentative. I also do not know what steps Goa Government has taken. I feel Karnataka is not going to carry out any construction.

HERALD: What are you personal views? Should the government agree for an out of the court settlement? 

NIRMALA:  If it is out of court settlement, what does it mean? It means you are going to give them on a platter and say do what you want. In October 2016, there was a proposal when Parsekar was chief Minster that we should settle out of court and it was an all-party meeting and we were also called and most parties and the MBA opposed and the meeting was postponed.

HERALD:  With elections due in Karnataka and the BJP trying to win how do you perceive things mainly because we have the BJP in power in Goa as well?

NIRMALA: The environment minister is a sensible person and we trust him and if he takes a drastic step, the government will lose face. Secondly,  if BJP wants to win, I don’t think they will take such an action which is detrimental to the environment and the State of Goa and people at large.