the goan I network
MAPUSA
With no assurance coming from the State government vis-a-vis withdrawal of the letter issued to Karnataka government permitting start of work on the water project involving diversion of the Mhadei river waters at Kalasa-Bhandura, the Mhadei Bachao Andolan (MBA) on Sunday decided to hold a massive rally on Monday to protest government’s lethargic attitude on the issue.
MBA had on November 18 served a seven-day ultimatum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to get a firm assurance or action from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change (MoEF&CC) for withdrawal of the letter issued to Karnataka which states that EC clearance is not required for the drinking water project at Kalasa-Bhandura.
The protest rally across the State will start from Hutatma Square in the city, said office bearer of Goa Suraksh Manch (GSM) Abhay Samant while addressing a press conference at Khorlim-Sim. Samant informed the media persons that, Valavlim Comunidade President Aldrin Pereira, Thivim comunidade president Joslin Pereira, Sunil Methar of GSM and Vishnu Naik of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and convener of MBA Arvind Bhatikar and coordinator Subhash Velingkar will be present at the protest rally.
“This is a non-political agitation supported by 132 social orgnaisations, though GSM and AAP are political parties but they are openly supporting us,” informed Samant. He appealed to the citizens of Goa to join the agitation on Monday keeping their political differences away for the cause of Goa and its environment.
It may be recalled that the MBA had demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant if he failed to get the MoEF&CC permission to Karnataka government withdrawn within seven days. Withdraw permission to Karnataka: GF to MoEFPANAJI: Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai has made representation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking immediate withdrawal of the letter issued by it in October to Karnataka permitting start of the Kalasa-Bhandura project.
Sardesai in his representation has claimed that Karnataka misinformed the MoEF that the Kalasa Bhandura was a drinking water project. It is in effect a hydroelectric project and that Karnataka ought to seek environment clearance.
The project involves three canals to divert water to the Malaprabha water basin, Sardesai said. “MoEF&CC has compromised its role as torch bearer. Diversion will affect wildlife. MoEF has failed to consider the impact and scope of the project as it is going to cause huge damage to environment,” Sardesai added.
It may be recalled that an all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had given a similar memorandum to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar after which a committee was constituted to study the issue.
Goa Forward objected to MoEF’s nod for the Rs 841 crore project, which aims to divert water from the Mhadei basin into the water deficient Malaprabha basin in Karnataka ostensibly for drinking water purposes.
Interestingly, GFP’s petition before the Nation Green
