the goan I network
VASCO
Affirming that he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key issues pertaining to Goa, including mining and the Mhadei water dispute, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was confident there would be no injustice to Goans as the prime minister had taken note of the issues.
Sawant was speaking to reporters at Dabolim Airport after returning from a meeting with Modi in New Delhi.
Sawant said a special appointment had been sought with the PM to discuss issues like Mhadei and mining.
“The opposition has been talking whatever they want. The Mhadei tribunal has been given an extension till August. Even though the Mhadei Tribunal award has been notified, we have insisted that no permission should be given to Karnataka.”
“Secondly, the Mhadei award was appealed in Supreme Court after I took over as the chief minister because it was not acceptable to Goa and a final hearing on the appeal is in July.”
“Even though the Mhadei award has been notified and since the matter is pending in the SC, I requested the PM not to give any permission to Karnataka under any circumstances before the final hearing, since it is only four months before the SC will take a call in the matter,” said Sawant.
“PM Narendra Modi took note of the issue and I am confident there will be no injustice done to Goans.”
“Karnataka may be trying in its own capacity, but it will not get any official permission to start any works at least for the next four months before the final hearing,” added Sawant.
Commenting on the mining issue, Sawant said as per instructions of the Centre, a review writ petition was filed regarding the mining ban and that, the matter would come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on April 21.
“I have updated the PM on the mining issue as well and requested him to look into it,” said the chief minister.
