MARGAO
Asserting that Mhadei represents 60 per cent of the lifeline of the people of Goa and falls in the highly eco-sensitive western ghats, Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro said the Centre’s decision on DPR is patently illegal and in violation of Supreme Court order, and all the laws including Forest Conservator Act and Wild Life Protection Act.
Faleiro recalled that he had raised the issue of diversion of Mhadei river water to Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha on November 30, 2021, March 24, 2022, March 8, 2022 and December 26, 2022. The Minister of Jal Shakti had assured Sec 5(3) of the Inter-state River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to permit submission to the Tribunal up to August 20, 23.
The Rajya Sabha MP said he had raised an unstarred question on the diversion of Mhadei river water to the neighbouring states, seeking to know the steps taken by the government to identify the key issues and risks to Mhadei river basin in Goa which represents 60 per cent of the lifeline of the people of Goa due to diversion of water from Mhadei river basin by the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra; the strategies needed to address the issues both in the short and long term; and whether the government has any plan to appoint a neutral party who could consider the long term goals.
He said the Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu had replied saying that as per the provisions under section 5(3) of the said Act, the Central Government, vide Notification dated July 21, 2022, has extended the period of submission of further report by the said Tribunal for a further period of one year with effect from August 20, 2022.
