Minister of Water Resource Department Subhash Shirodkar speaking on floor of House on Saturday. Captured by : Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
Minister of the Water Resource Department Subhash Shirodkar on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that Mhadei Water Management Authority , PRAWAH (Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony) is scheduled to meet on February 13. Likewise, the House Committee on Mhadei will also meet before month-end.
This assurance was given following serious concerns raised by Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai during the Zero Hour session wherein he questioned the Goa government’s commitment to the issue.
He criticized the government alleging that if it were concerned, the matter would be listed in the Supreme Court. Sardesai also demanded that the legal team be called to Goa for discussions with the House Committee, of which he is a member.
“The House Committee has met only once, after which it has been lying dormant. What is happening with the case and why is it not coming up in the Supreme Court? What is the legal team doing? Why is the government wasting huge money on conferencing, etc…call the legal team to Goa to discuss the matter with the House Committee,” Sardesai demanded.
In reply, the minister conceded that the matter is “pertinent to every Goan” adding, “The case is being diligently pursued. All necessary documents have already been submitted to the Apex Court. The PRAWAH meeting is scheduled on February 13 and I assure you that the House Committee will convene before February 29.”
Shirodkar further added that the government has provided a comprehensive file to the SC with the matter slated for August. “The documentation is extensive, spanning 500 to 600 pages. The court has requested additional submissions, if any,” he added.
The scheme titled Mahadayi Water Management Scheme, 2023 framed to constitute the PRAWAH was notified on May 22, 2023.
The Union government had notified it to give effect to the decisions of the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal, dated August 14, 2018.
