The Water Resources Minister, Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues today told the state assembly that the state government would fight tooth and nail to stop the Karnataka government’s plans to divert water from the Mhadei basin.
The state government has taken various steps to prevent Karnataka, which he said was trying to go ahead with the project without clearances from concerned central authorities.
Replying to queries raised by the members of the House, particularly the opposition, Mr Rodrigues said that he would urge the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, to lead an all-party delegation once again to various central ministries concerned with the issue of giving clearance to plead Goa’s case. “All of us have to come together to end anxieties and apprehensions of the people of the state,” he added.
As regards to delay in completion of Tillari irrigation project, the Water Resources Minister said that the project was delayed because the environment and investment clearances were not obtained for starting the project.
He also said that at times the state could not pay its share for completing the project, even as he expressed confidence that the project would now be completed by 2009.
As regards to soil erosion he said that his department would take various steps to prevent it, saying that a study has been conducted into the design aspect of the soil erosion and that specific modalities have been suggested to control/prevent it. He said that a budgetary allocation of Rs 11 crore has been made for the purpose.
Mr Rodrigues, who is also the Forest Minister, further said that the government would ensure that illegal felling of trees was stopped by taking various measures including intelligence gathering and deployment of more forest department personnel.
He also assured that botanical garden at Sanguem would be completed as envisaged.
The House later passed demands totaling over Rs 214 crore, pertaining to the departments, held by the minister. All the cut motions tabled by the opposition were defeated.
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