OLD GOA
Chiding the State government for trying to portray that admission of SLP by the SC on Mhadei was a victory, the Save Mhadei Save Goa Front opined that it was not so as the government failed to get assurance from Karnataka that they would halt work on the Kalsa-Bhandura project.Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Wednesday, Adv Hrudaynath Shirodkar informed that though admission of SLP was a good thing, the government failed to impress upon the SC to direct Karnataka to halt work on the Kalsa-Bhandura project.
“The 2017 SC judgment clearly states that Karnataka would not undertake any work on Kalsa-Bhandura project. However, the order has been violated by Karnataka and it was the duty of the State government to bring it to the notice of the SC, which it failed to do,” said Shirodkar.
He further slammed the government over its failure to take an undertaking from Karnataka that they would not undertake any work on the project.
“So, stating that the mere admission of SLP is a victory is not right because any important issue gets admitted in the SC,” Shirodkar informed and stated that it has now been converted into an appeal and it will take at least 4-5 years for the matter to be heard.
Shirodkar also questioned why Karnataka’s DPR has not been challenged as yet by the State BJP government despite the party passing a resolution in this regard.
Further, Shirodkar condemned the Karnataka government for approving Rs 1000 crore for the Mhadei diversion project and questioned why the State BJP and Central BJP are still not acting on the matter despite Congress party being in the ruling in Karnataka now.
Speaking on the issue, historian Prajal Sakhardande stated that admission of SLP in the SC was not a victory but a time-buying tactic.
“We are happy that SLP is admitted but it has been converted into an appeal which will prolong for years. So, it is important to continue our fight to save Mhadei and for that, it is important for the government to pursue the interlocutory petition and the contempt petition in the SC,” Sakhardande stated and informed that Karnataka should not be allowed any loophole in the case.
Meanwhile, the Front leaders informed that they will now take the Save Mhadei movement forward by organising a Mhadei Jal Yatra from August 15 to September 15.
“In this Jal Yatra, we will hold awareness in all panchayats on need to conserve the water bodies in each village for its need only,” he added while stating that water bodies should not be used to provide water for hotels and industries.
Mahesh Mahambrey, Salman Khan and Tanoj Adwalpalkar were also present.
