PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that the inspection carried out by Mhadei PRAWAH committee will expose misdeeds carried out by Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said, “Mhadei PRAWAH committee is carrying out inspection. It will be carried out for six days, two days each in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. It is the right time to carry out the inspection. We had been demanding that if diversion of water is to be seen then there is need to visit Kankumbi. The visit will make it clear that water is being really diverted to Malaprabha river basin. We have proof that water is being diverted to Malaprabha basin through a canal. The inspection during monsoon will bring to light that Karnataka has dug up a canal and is diverting Mhadei water to Malaprabha basin.”
The inspection by Mhadei PRAWAH was crucial for Goa as it will uncover the truth before its members, he said.
Sawant said, “We will also prove it before the Supreme Court. Let anyone approach the Prime Minister for clearance, we have already apprised him of the importance of Mhadei to Goa. Whatever decision will be taken on Mhadei, it will be taken after taking Goa into confidence," he said.
Hitting out at Congress, Sawant said, "The opposition party should open the files and see that it was their government which did injustice with Goa on the Mhadei issue. Our government has not done injustice. We filed a case in the Supreme Court. Due to our efforts, the PRAWAH committee has been constituted and its office has been opened in Goa. The opposition party, which is criticising the government, should find out why their government sold Mhadei. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea what his chief minister and his government did. I am always firm on my decision on Mhadei. We are not going to compromise on it," he said.
"Our Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar and our legal team are working very well. Mhadei Cell is also doing a very good job," the Chief Minister added.
The Mhadei PRAWAH members commenced their inspection of the Mhadei river on Thursday, June 4. The team visited Amthane, Padoshe plant, and the Anjunem dam area. On Friday, the members visited Opa Water Treatment Plant at Khandepar (see Page 3).
The members are conducting a detailed site inspection of the Mhadei basin to familiarise themselves with the on ground facts about the extent of work undertaken by the Karnataka government.