CM says PM assured to protect Goa’s interest in Mhadei tangle

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the state of protecting Goa’s interest vis-à-vis decades-old Mhadei water dispute.

Sawant called on the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Thursday, urging Modi “not to grant permission to any proposal of Karnataka on the Kalasa-Banduri project across the Mhadei river”.

Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’ over the phone, Sawant said, “I have briefed (the PM) of all facts. The Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal has been given an extension and even though the award has been notified we don’t know what could be the outcome…. We will put our say again before the tribunal.”

“Our say is that Karnataka has mischievously claimed 180 tmcft of water by factoring in saline water. We have also brought this to the notice of the Union Water Resource Minister,” he added.

It is pertinent to note that the Karnataka government has made a budgetary allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Kalasa Banduri project.

Sawant said that he has apprised the Prime Minister that since the Mhadei matter will be heard in the Supreme Court in July, the central government should not hurry in giving permissions to Karnataka for any project over the Mhadei.

“I have urged the Prime Minister not to give any permission to Karnataka. Let us wait for the order of the apex court,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Modi has responded “positively” to his request and assured to “consider” it.

Sawant along with Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar had called on Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on March 6 and had urged the Union minister not to entertain any proposal of Karnataka on the project without keeping Goa informed.

Earlier in the day, Sawant tweeted about his meeting with Modi, saying that he discussed with the Prime Minister the mining tangle and other burning issues concerning the state.

“Called on the Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji in New Delhi today. Had fruitful discussion on wide-ranging issues including mining, Mhadei, Mopa, upcoming ZP elections as well as various developmental projects in the state. The Prime Minister has assured his continued support and cooperation for Goa’s cause,” he tweeted.