Goa Forward Party demands CM Sawant's resignation over Mahadayi River

Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai on Thursday during a press conference has demanded the resignation of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for allegedly failing to protect the Mahadayi River. Sardesai further added that his party will be moving to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over the clearance given by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to the Karnataka Government to protect the interest of the State. Further, he has also produced a copy of the clearance. 

Political parties condemn Govt's decision

Earlier, the Congress Party had condemned the government's decision to give an environmental clearance to the 'illegal' Kalasa-Banduri Nala project of diverting Mahadayi water to Malprabha by constructing a canal through the thick forest. On the other hand, a BJP legislator Umesh Katti had slammed Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for his remarks in favour of Maharashtra on the Mahadayi River water dispute. According to reports, Katti had suggested that if the Chief Minister fails to solve the water crisis in north Karnataka, it would call for the creation of a new State. On October 23, the opposition leader, Digambar Kamat raised the issue and tweeted about it. 

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The tri-state issue

Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra have conflicting interests on the issue of sharing Mahadayi River water. While the River originates in Karnataka, a major part of it flows in Goa and briefly in Maharashtra. According to reports, Karnataka aims to use the water from the Kalasa Banduri project on the Mahadayi to irrigate its water-scarce northern districts. Its two northern neighbours are however concerned that it would affect their supply of water from the river.

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(With ANI inputs)