PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party while castigating Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for selling river Mhadei to Karnataka while Goa is facing a water scarcity accused him of resorting to political gimmicks in wake of fast-approaching elections.
AAP Goa Convener Rahul Mhambre pointed out that the people in different parts of Goa have been protesting against erratic water supply.
Even as Goa is facing water scarcity, the chief minister allowed water from Goa's lifeline, Mhadei, to be diverted to Karnataka at the behest of his party bosses in Delhi, he said.
"The Rs 300 crore granted by the Centre is nothing but a compensation for diverting Mhadei water," he said.
He also accused the chief minister of telling lies about water supply and reminded that in December 2020 the chief minister had said water supply problem would be resolved by January 15, which did not happen.
"And now he is merely saying it will be resolved by March 31 without giving any action plan. We all know it's another 'jhumla' as the municipal elections are approaching," he added.
Rahul exposed yet another lie by the government as it had claimed in October 2020 that Goa had become the first State to provide 100 per cent tap water connections in rural areas by connecting 2.30 lakh households under the Har Ghar Jal scheme.
"And now the chief minister is admitting to water scarcity which means either he lied in 2020 or he is lying now," he said, adding that in any case Sawant is a habitual liar and people call him a 'fotting' CM.
He also referred to Sawnt lying to the House that the advocate had advised against appealing the Mhadei tribunal order while the advocate stated that the government had specifically instructed him not to appeal.
He also lamented that while Sawant who spoke of an all-party delegation to Delhi during the Assembly session has now become silent on the matter.
