Margao, Oct 8 (TOI): The Congress party will stage a protest rally to oppose the nationalization of rivers starting from Nagoa, Verna, on Sunday at 9am and move through the coastal stretch bordering River Sal in Salcete taluka, said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Luizinho Faleiro on Friday.

Urging Goans to participate in the day-long protest rally that will pass through Margao, Navelim, Chinchinim, Assolna, Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Benaulim, Colva and later culminate at the GPCC South Goa district office at Margao, the GPCC president said that "an agreement had been signed at the Centre for capital dredging of Goan rivers, that will ruin the ecology and environment of the state".

Faleiro lashed out at chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar for his 'assurance made on the floor of the House that all stakeholders will be consulted before taking a decision on this matter'. "Now, the CM has committed contempt of the House as steps have been taken, with this agreement being signed, without consulting stakeholders. Goans are unaware and there is a need for the media to create awareness about this vital issue. The Centre has a hidden agenda, as the nationalization of Goa's rivers is not only anti-Goan but pro-corporate. This is a daylight robbery by the Centre and state government to deprive and take away the rights of the Goans," Faleiro said.