Panaji, Oct 10 (PTI): Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today said he would meet his Maharashtra and Karnataka counterparts on the issue of Mahadeyi river water diversion, notwithstanding reservations voiced by opposition parties in Goa.
"I will be attending the meeting with Chief Ministers from Maharashtra and Karnataka on Mahadeyi water diversion issue. It is not proper to refuse the tribunal's (Mahadeyi Water Dispute Tribunal) suggestion that we (all three CMs) should meet and try to find an amicable solution," Parsekar said.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing an all-party meet called by the state government on the issue at the Secretariat this afternoon.
The meet was attended by all parties, including BJP, MGP, Congress, NCP, Goa Forward and others, besides Union AYUSH Minister Sripad Naik, Member of Parliament (South) Narendra Sawaikar and representatives of Mahadeyi Bachao Abhiyan.
During the meeting, the opposition parties expressed apprehension over Parsekar attending the CMs' meet.
"All the participants in the meeting were unanimous that we should not waste time in discussion with neighbouring states as it will affect the pace of the case," Parsekar said.
"But it is not fair that I refuse to meet the chief ministers of the states of our own country," he reasoned.
Goa is currently embroiled in a dispute with Maharashtra and Karnataka over diversion of Mahadeyi river water. The case is pending before Mahadeyi Water Dispute Tribunal.
"Whenever it is called for, I will attend the meeting to respect sentiments of the tribunal, but I will ensure that the interest of the state (Goa) will not be compromised at any cost," the chief minister said.
Asked if Goa is looking for an amicable solution to the issue, Parsekar refused to comment.
"I have said what I want to say," he said, before walking off.
Meanwhile, the state's main opposition party Congress expressed unhappiness over the Chief Minister's decision to meet his Maharashtra and Karnataka counterparts.
"Karnataka has shown scarce respect for law. They have gone ahead with the construction of canal to divert the Mahadeyi river water in their territory. To hold meeting with their (Karnataka) chief minister when the case is pending before the tribunal will be of no use," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro told reporters after emerging from the all party meeting.
Faleiro said Mahadeyi river is not just connected to Maharashtra and Karnataka but the biodiversity, environment and flora and fauna of Goa is dependent on it.
"For us, it (diversion of water) is a question of survival. Mahadeyi is the lifeline of Goa. We are pushed to the wall by Karnataka. Besides the tribunal, Goa should take up the matter with the United Nations, National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court," said the former chief minister of Goa.
He said there are no powers with the chief ministers of any state to do anything on the issue.
"We requested him not to go, but even if he is going, he should ensure that the interest of the state is protected. Everybody felt that CM should not go," Faleiro said.
"We (participating parties) said, if you (CM) are going then ask them (Karnataka) to demolish the dams which they have constructed illegally, ask them (Karnataka) to stop diverting water," he said.
Faleiro said half of the Mahadeyi river, known as Mandovi in Goa, has saline water, but if dams are constructed upstream, the entire stretch in the state would become saline.