Panaji: Water Resources Department minister Vinod Palyekar is upset over Speaker Pramod Sawant’s action of by-passing him over the issue related to his own department.
Sawant on Thursday called for a meeting of officials at his chamber announcing that WRD will pump out water from the mining pits into the rivulets, which has run dry.
The farmers in Sattari area has been requesting State government to pump out water from the mining pits into the rivulet, which they can use to irrigate their fields.
Palyekar has said that Speaker has no authority to direct any department, without taking the minister into confidence, on any of the issue.
He said the State government is sympathetic towards demands of the farmers and solution would be worked out during the meeting called by Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai on December 12.
“I am the minister of WR department. The Speaker should have taken me into confidence before assuring anything related to my department. I am well aware about the problems faced by the farmers and that is why we have called for a special meeting on December 12,” Palyekar said.
He said that the WRD would not pump out water from the mining pits from today onwards as assured by the Speaker. “We will take appropriate decision in the meeting on December 12,” he added.
The High level meeting has invited all the ministers representing mining belt and also MLAs. Chief Secretary and other officials will also be present for the meeting.
