PANAJI: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday stated that Goa’s case for Mhadei water dispute was not weak. He said the case could be further strengthened by bringing more areas under agricultural cover.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function, Parsekar said, “Government is putting in all efforts in making Mhadei case stronger. Our team has camped at Delhi. We provide necessary consultants to them.”
“If more areas are brought under agriculture, it will definitely become stronger. But I am not ready to accept that Goa's case is weak. Let us get more areas under agriculture and horticulture and make it stronger further,” he said.
The Secretary for Panchayati Raj, Sports and Rural Development, Mathew Samuel, speaking at a function on Friday had said that Goa’s case for Mhadei water dispute had weakened due to lack of agriculture in the State.
Further pointing out that Goa receives heavy rainfall every year, he said, “We receive over 100 inches of rainfall. Last year comparatively it was lesser. So we think we have received lesser rainfall. But there are areas in this country which receive 5 and 10 inches of rainfall, which they conserve in every possible way. We are not used to this.”
Stressing on the need for conserving water which is received by the State through heavy rainfall, Parsekar said, “We need to have proper management of water. Moreover we should have a ban on cement gutters which will facilitate percolation of water into the ground which will lead to increase in the water table. Additionally, wells should be kept open so that water can be stored there. We have to adopt these measures. We do not conserve even 5 per cent of water that we receive.”
---------------------
If more areas are brought under agriculture, it (Mhadei case) will definitely become stronger
- Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister
----------------------
NO RUSHING THROUGH
RP, SAYS PARSEKAR
Close on the heels of Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza expressing the government's intention of finalising the Regional Plan 2021 by December 2016, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar left the government's door ajar for “considering objections”, even as he assured that the government will not rush through the Plan although it is keen on finalising the same.
----
'NO COMMUNICATION
GAP BETWEEN ME
AND THE DEPUTY CM'
Laxmikant Parsekar categorically ruled out any “communication gap” between him and his Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza, particularly over the latter's purported resentment pertaining to not being taken into confidence over matters relating to his (DyCM's) department (portfolio).
>> Details on page 2
