log on to thegoan.net Facebook.com/thegoan @thegoanonline The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2024 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 237 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 5 15 3 10 Prawah eyes amicable solution AAP’s candidature for South LS seat sparks political buzz to vexed Mhadei water dispute GOA GOA Resolve passport issue before LS poll code of conduct comes into force: GFG MMC’s outstanding revenue arrears touch new high of nearly ` 0 cr 3 SPORTS INFO Nagal begins Bengaluru Open campaign with win over Blancaneaux Rethinking knee replacement Cong says unacceptable; BJP ecstatic over differences n AUTHORITY HOPES TO SETTLE ISSUES ON SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE UTILISATION OF WATERS BETWEEN 3 STATES n TO INSPECT PROPOSED PROJECT SITE, TRIBUTARIES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Mhadei Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH), who held its first meeting on Tuesday, is hopeful that the river diversion issue would be resolved “amicably” by the three riparian States – Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra through PRAWAH. The PRAWAH decided to deliberate and settle all issues pertaining sustainable and equitable utilisation of waters of Mhadei river basin between the three riparian States – Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The authority headed by PM Scott has led it emphasis to ensure that PRAWAH work for harmonious use of Mhadei river water for the welfare of the people of all three States. The Authority has decided to inspect the proposed project site, inspect tributaries and rivers of Mhadei basin. The meeting was attended by all the three full-time independent members Virendra Sharma (M&R), Manoj Tiwari (Hydrology) and Neeraj Manglik (Environment) and parttime representative members MHADEI: THE ROAD AHEAD The Authority has to be progressive and work for harmonious use of water of Mahadayi/ Mandovi River for the welfare of the peoples of all the 3 states The scope of PRAWAH is from the origin of Mhadei upto the sea PRAWAH hopes there is some silver lining and ray of hope wherein all the matter regarding the Mhadei basin will be resolved amicably between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra through the authority Permissions can be granted for diversion of river outside Mhadei basin but a proper protocol has to be followed The authority at a meeting deliberated on various subjects including business rules, manpower and funding of all the Party States comprising of Subhash Chandra, Secretary, WRD (Goa), Rakesh Singh, ACS, WRD (Karnataka) & Milind Naik, CE, WRD (Maharashtra). The Authority was constituted on May 22, 2023 to give effect to the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) Award passed in August 2018. In a press statement issued, the Chairperson stressed that the Authority will endeavour to discuss, deliberate and settle all issues regarding sustainable and equitable utilisation of the waters of Mahadayi/ Mandovi river basin. “There is a need to work in such a way where ‘conflict’ is substituted by ‘cooperation’,” he said. Scott said that as the name PRAWAH suggests, the Authority has to be progressive and work for harmonious use of water of Mahadayi/ Mandovi River for the welfare of the peoples of all the 3 states. “The scope of PRAWAH is from the origin of Mhadei upto the sea,” he said. Speaking to media, Scott said that his is a “historic moment” as all the three States have come together and discussed about the river. “I hope there is some silver lining and ray of hope wherein all the matter regarding the Mhadei basin will be resolved amicably between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra through the authority,” he said. As per rules, permissions can be granted for diversion of river outside Mhadei basin but a proper protocol has to be followed, Scott said adding that DPRs have to be appraised by the Central agencies and not by party States. The authority deliberated on various subjects including business rules, manpower and funding. The next meeting of the authority is likely to take place in Karnataka or Maharashtra. The inter-state water dispute is currently pending before the Supreme Court, who is likely to hear the matter in August. All the three States are directed to submit additional documents with regards to their various petitions filed including challenging the award of the Tribunal. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a sign of exasperation over lingering seat sharing talks with its INDIA bloc partner Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday declared party candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency. The development has sparked political buzz in Goa ahead of parliamentary polls. With talks making no headway with Congress, AAP declared the name of Venzy Viegas, a sitting MLA from Benaulim assembly seat for South Goa. The decision has rattled Congress while BJP is rejoicing the fall-out of the INDIA bloc – not just in Goa but in many other States too. AAP, however, stood strongly with Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) claiming Viegas as INDIA bloc candidate; even as Congress Goa unit declined to accept it. The fielding of Viegas also indicated that his candidature was not discussed with Congress. The announcement was made after the Political Affairs Committee meeting led by AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In the 2019 general elections, Elvis Gomes of AAP finished third by bagging 20,891 votes behind Congress’ sitting Cong says it will go solo PANAJI: As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) declared its candidature from South Goa, the Congress is all out to go solo for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The assertion came mere hours after the Arvind Kejriwal-led party declared the name of Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas for South Goa seat, where Congress has already got its sitting MP. >> See pg 3 MP Francisco Sardinha and BJP’s Narendra Sawaikar. In 2014, Congress had lost both the seats to BJP. South Goa constituency has remained more or less loyal to Congress but AAP standing out in two constituencies during the 2022 Assembly elections, cannot be ignored. Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar rued that there is less time remaining for the polls and stressed that with time running out, it will become difficult to contest polls. “The talks with the INDIA bloc are going on for months. The last meeting with Congress was held almost 30 days back. We are tired now with no result. We have to contest the elections and win it. We do not have to contest elections just for the sake of it,” he said. “People have hope from AAP and we have to stand by it,” he added. He said that with Congress leadership busy to hold meeting and decide on seat sharing, AAP decided to field candidate from South Goa. He clarified that Viegas is the nominee of the INDIA bloc. Palekar also appealed to other parties in the Opposition to support Viegas. “We wanted to give a new, clean, and loyal face to the people; Venzy is widely accepted in South Goa,” he stated. However, Congress does not believe so. Congress chief Amit Patkar is very clear that when the INDIA bloc talks for seat sharing are on, the political strategy behind declaring candidates is “not known” or “unacceptable”. The political rift over seat sharing between Congress and AAP was wide open during Kejriwal’s visit to Goa in January. While Kejriwal announced that the party will contest one seat from Goa in alliance with Congress, the Indian National Congress (INC) >Continued on P7
The new Goa, with a broader profile of people from different parts of India and the world, needs not just a strong local paper but a complete paper. The Goan on Saturday will connect to and be a viable and comprehensive read for locals, other Indians in Goa, NRI and foreigners. It will also be a bridge for Goans in other parts of India all over the world to their home land. The Goan is published by Goa's most reputed industrial houses.
