the goan I network
PANAJI
Water Resources Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues on Thursday said the recent letter by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar to Karnataka stating that the Kalsa-Bhandura project can resume work, has no legal value as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar had written letter to Karnataka on December 24 claiming that Kalsa water project does not require environmental clearance as it is a project for drinking water purpose.
“It (letter) has no value considering the fact that Goa’s contempt petition is pending before the SC”, said Rodrigues while commenting on the issue.
He said the letter will not have any legal standing as the matter is before the Supreme Court. “There may be more letters, more correspondence. They may put up further demands. We should not get disturbed because of their correspondence. There is no value for this letter as regards to starting work on the Kalsa-Bandura canal”, he added.
Stating that constructions by Karnataka over Mhadei river for diverting water has an impact on ecology of Goa, Rodrigues said a team of Goa WRD officials had recently inspected the project and a detailed report will be submitted to the apex court when petition will come for hearing next month.
