PANAJI
The resolution moved by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik over the issue was defeated with 21 votes against it and 10 votes in favour of it. The resolution sought that "the government should not sign and withdraw, if signed, any MoU between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Mormugao Port Trust in order to protect the right of our rivers".
The discussion in this regard lasted for almost an hour with several members of the Opposition grabbing the opportunity to take digs at Goa Forward.
Velim MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues recalled at length the timeline of the anti-river nationalisation movement led by Goa Forward.
"Goa Forward had initiated the movement in my constituency over this issue. Rallies and protests were organized which received tremendous public support irrespective of political affiliations. Those people have given a mandate on this issue and have elected us to object this MoU. Goa Forward should recollect the issues they had spearheaded on the eve of elections," the Velim MLA remarked targeting Vijai Sardessai.
While Sardessai sank deeper into his chair, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar saved the day for the coalition government.
"Nationalisation is a wrong word. None of Goa government's powers are restricted though the Act ahs been in force for over a year now. There will be no restriction on fishing rights," Parrikar declared.
He explained that Goa Assembly has no powers to reverse an act of the Parliament, which was passed and notified on April 12, 2016.
"The Act notified 106 waterways, including seven rivers from Goa, as national waterways for the purpose of shipping and navigation. It doesn't infringe the powers of state government over mineral and waters. The idea is to encourage the growth of inland waterways and to develop and protect the navigational channels as national waterways," the Chief Minister attempted to explain even while Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, Vasco MLA Jose Luis Carlos Almeida and Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral interrupted him to voice their doubts.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro sought to know the objective behind nationalization of Goan rivers and insisted that all stakeholders must be taken into consideration.
"The government must make a masterplan in consultation with the stakeholders to make rivers more functional and then decide if you need any help from the Union government," Faleiro stated.
Stating that the MoU will finalise the appointment of Goa government as official executioners using IWAI money, Parrikar sought to alleviate these concerns and pointed out that the non-disruption of ferry services in Goan rivers is reflective of the fact that the state's rights over rivers have not been restricted.
CM insisted that the MoU will allow Goa to carry out work using central government funds. "Captain of Ports was made an authorized signatory with IWAI and MPT as the nodal agency as per Goa Forward supremo and TCP Minister Vijai Sardessai's demand," he said trying to bolster his coalition partner's morale.
