RGP supremo Manoj Parab and MLA Viresh Borkar addressing reporters in Panaji on Saturday. Captured by : Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has opposed the moves of the State government to file interlocutory petition in the Supreme Court under Section 29 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as the party has said it will create more problems to the State.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Saturday, MLA Viresh Borkar said, “Under section 29 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, waters of rivers are allowed to be diverted to prevent destruction of wildlife and for that, permission from Chief Wildlife Warden is needed.”
“However, in Goa, diversion of river waters is done whenever there is shortage of water in any river. If the government goes ahead with filing the petition, then Goa itself will have to face the consequences as then we won’t be allowed to divert waters from one river to the other,” Borkar pointed out, while stating that it would prove detrimental to Goa and Goans.
“Has the government given a thought to this? Has the departments like PWD, WRD, Forest, etc have given a thought to this?” Borkar posed, while alleging that the decision appears to have been made to fool Goans till the Karnataka elections get over.
“If the government thinks that it will win the Mhadei issue by filing such a petition in SC, then let the Governor record the same in his speech that he would deliver on the opening day of the winter Assembly session on January 16,” Borkar challenged.
He further chided the government for taking an arbitrary decision in the matter without consulting anyone on the issue.
“The Advocate General organised a media conference and announced the decision, which is surprising,” Borkar informed and questioned the logic behind the decision.
He further demanded that the government should withdraw its decision to move interlocutory petition under Section 29 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as he claimed that it would do more harm than good to the State.
