From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 29: Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has thrown hints that the state might not fulfill its committment given to Maharashtra government to provide jobs for their people as a part of deal struck to construct Tillari Irrigation project, connecting both the states.
 
“Just because they are threatening like this, we cant give them the jobs,” Kamat told reporters in Panaji.
 
He was reacting to the threat given by people from neighbouring district in Maharashtra to block the water on May 1, if Goa government does not fulfill the promise made to them of providing employment.
 
Kamat questioned why Maharashtra was raising issue about employment, the assurance which was given to them several years back while inking a deal on Tillari project.
 
“Personally, I have not met any minister from Maharashtra. I was told that some time back, their (Maharashtra) minister had met Goa water resources department minister. We will have to examine their demand,” the chief minister said.
 
In January, this year, Maharashtra’s water resources minister Sunil Tatkare had come to Goa to remind about the commitment to give employment to 630 people from neighbouring Sindhudurg District.
 
He had demanded that if Goa cannot provide the government jobs, it can formulate one-time settlement for the project-affected people.
Maharashtra's demand stems from the agreement signed between both the states in 1990 which gave Goa 73% water share from the dam project on Tillari river in the North district.

Tatkare had said that with Goa getting larger water share, it was also supposed to shoulder higher cost-sharing to the extent of 73% and bore liability like providing employment