the goan I network
MARGAO
Issuing a stern warning to the government not to take Goans for granted and threatening to bring the women of Goa on the streets, Mahila Congress workers on Wednesday burned an effigy of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in front of the Margao Municipal Council to protest against the government's decision to nationalize the six Goan rivers.
Calling upon the the government should pay heed to the sentiments of Goan masses and revert the decision to hand over the six rivers to the centre under the guise of development, the Mahila Congress demanded to know how come the State government cannot get the six rivers withdrawn from the nationalization on the lines of the Kerala government, which has got its four rivers withdrawn in the interest of their state and people. Armed with banners and placards, the Mahila Congress workers led by state president Pratima Coutinho, district president Savitri Kavlekar and others accused Chief Minister for acting in a dictatorial manner. They warned that the Chief Minister should not take the people for granted. "We the women of Goa will not rest till the government bows to the sentiments of the people of Goa, who are opposed to the nationalization of rivers," thundered Pratima, who accused the government for doing U-turns on a host of issues for their selfish ends.
She has demanded to know what prevents the Goa government to get the required funds from the cente without handing over the six rivers to the Union government. "This will not be tolerated by the people of Goa as nationalization would only help the corporates to further their interests," she said.
Addressing the media, Mahila Congress district president Savitri Kavlekar said the Goa government should emulate the Kerala government, which has withdrawn their rivers from the proposed nationalization in the interest of the people. "The Mahila Congress workers will not sit at home and watch Parrikar hand over our rivers to the Centre," Savitri said, warning that women of Goa will take the lead to come on the streets to save the six rivers.
In the meantime, a minor altercation broke out between the local media and the Mahila Congress activists after one of the scribes spotted a poster on Mhadei river when the protest was called against the nationalization of rivers.
When a scribe quizzed the activists, one of them counter questioned the media, initially blaming the rival BJP but later clarified that the Mhadei poster was held by mistake after it was given to her by another woman.
