the goan I network
PANAJI
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday feigned ignorance about his ministry’s October 23 letter ostensibly approving a Karnataka government’s proposal for diversion of Mhadei waters for the Kalsa-Bandura drinking water project but promised an all party delegation led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant a written communication on the issue within 10 days.
“The Minister was kind enough to assure a written communication within 10 days. Every member expressed his views. After listening to everyone, Javadekarji assured his support to protect the interest of the State and people of Goa,” Sawant said in a statement after the meeting at Delhi.
The delegation led by Sawant also comprised of Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat (Congress), Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai, Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik who is also the North Goa MP.
Former Minister Nirmala Sawant who heads Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA) and her close associate Rajendra Kerkar were also part of the delegation.
The controversy over the MoEF&CC letter of October 23 has triggered an intense war of words from politicians, activists and sundry in the State over last fortnight or so, prompting Sawant to constitute the all-party delegation and meet the Union environment minister.
In the memorandum presented to Javadekar, the Goa government has objected to the MoEF&CC letter which it claims is a ‘virtual nod’ for the Kalsa-Bhandura project and sought its withdrawal.
The dispute between Goa and Karnataka over the Mhadei river dates back to over three decades. The Centre then constituted an Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunal which in August last year
The State government however has filed a special leave
petition in the Supreme Court alleging illegalities in Karnataka’s proposal to divert the Mhadei’s waters with the Kalsa-Bhandura project.
allotted 13.42 TMC from the river basin to Karnataka, including 3.9 TMC for diversion into the depleted Malaprabha river basin. Maharashtra has been allotted 1.33 TMC.
Non-BJP parties in Goa meanwhile attributed the MoEF letter to Karnataka to a political motive of the BJP in view of impending bye-elections to some 15 assembly seats in that State.
“I have urged him to ensure that no injustice is done to Goa. I want to make it crystal clear that we will fight till our last breath to protect our lifeline Mhadei. Our agitation will continue across the State and we will lead the people’s movement to fight for Mhadei,” Kamat said.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat said he urged Javadekar to “immediately withdraw” the MoEF’s consent letter to Karnataka.
Sawant meanwhile maintained that since the matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court the MoEF&CC could not have issued such a letter. Goa he said will approach the National Green Tribunal or the Supreme Court, if the letter is not withdrawn. GCZMA reconstituted by MoEF&CC
PANAJI: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) has finally constituted the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for the next three-year term comprising bureaucrats and experts.GCZMA will be chaired by Principal Secretary, Environment and will have Savio Correia (Vasco), Flaviano Miranda (Seraulim), Mahesh Patil (Panaji) and Sujeetkumar Dongre, Program Co-ordinator, appointed as expert members.
Shrirang Jambhale of NGO Gram Vikas Kendra from Savoi-Verm is selected as non-government organization member.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Director of Panchayats, Director Tourism, Director Industries, Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department and Chief Engineer of Public Works Department are the government members. Director Environment has been named the member secretary.
