Local bodies urged to adopt resolutions on January 26

Margao: Alleging that the government is going slow on the Mhadei river issue, several activists across the state along with the Concerned Citizens of Goa on Tuesday collectively resolved to urge the panchayats to adopt resolutions on the issues concerning the Mhadei, coal and the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), on January 26, which is the occasion of Republic Day.

The activists, during a meeting held in Margao on Tuesday, resolved to join the ‘Save Mhadei’ movement on January 26 evening. Speaking to the media, activist Abhijit Prabhudesai said that “we will be creating awareness in each and every village very soon explaining how the Mhadei water diversion, coal transportation and CZMP are linked and how the Goans would be affected by it and how the corporates are out to destroy Goa. We will be preparing for intensified protests in the state.”

Elaborating on their upcoming agitation, he said they will have a protest on January 30 outside the MPT at 11 a.m. “We call upon the people to join the protest in large numbers. We want to send a message to the government that we are ready to fight against the corporates, who are out to take away Mhadei water and Goa from Goans. We will explain on this day how and why the Mhadei water diversion is being pursued by the Karnataka government. We are ready to do anything. This is a do-or-die situation for Goa. After January 30, we will decide further course of action,” he informed.

Activist Daina Tavares said that, according to the submission of the Karnataka government before the water tribunal, the neighbouring state requires water for four of its districts – Belagavi, Bagalkot, Darwad, and Gadag for drinking and agriculture purposes and generating hydroelectricity. “However, Karnataka has proposed setting up of steel industries in these four districts and in others also. We want to know whether this Mhadei water is for drinking and agriculture purposes or to meet the requirements of steel industries. Secondly, there are several tributaries available and also the Krishna river of which they can utilise the water,” Tavares said.

Activists from Shel-Melaulim, Panaji, participated in the meeting besides the South Goa activists and concerned citizens of Goa.