Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Respect poll verdict, scrap Mopa airport: GFDO to MLAs

The Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) has appealed the MLAs to respect the verdict of the people of Goa and scrap the Mopa airport immediately so that the State can usher in a model of development that is truly centered around Goa and Goans.

the goan I network | MARCH 26, 2017, 05:51 AM IST

MARGAO

Addressing the media, GFDO Convenor Fr Eremito Rebello said that every MLA in the Assembly needs to clearly understand that the message behind the 2017 election verdict is certainly not in favour of Mopa-centric development, but a mandate for Goa and Goan-centric development.
He said it is a tragedy that the regional parties and Independent MLAs who are supporting the government today, seem to have conveniently forgotten that the people voted for them specifically on the basis of their election agenda that was anti-BJP and anti-Mopa centric development.
“In the 2017 election, Goans thought that their votes would usher in a new government that would put an end to the destruction masquerading as development and display a fresh new approach to a model of development, that would truly be for the benefit of the poor or our State,” he said, adding ‘it is utterly reprehensible and unfortunate that the BJP steamrolled over the verdict of the people and through devious manipulations, edged itself into the seat of governance’.
Justifying his statement that the people of Goa have voted against Mopa-centric development, Fr Eremito said that both former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar, who were showcasing the Mopa airport were rejected by the people. Similarly, he said that Salcete MLAs - Avertano Furtado, Mickky Pacheco, Caitu Silva and Benjamin Silva and Rajan Naik, all silent and passive supporters to the cries of their electorate, were shown the door.
“Both in 2012 and 2017, the Mopa-centric regional plan turned out to be a major issue that adversely affected villages, towns and the very existence of individual Goan homes. It is not coincidence that governments, which did not support the demand for scrapping and de-notifying this draconian and destructive plan were rejected,” he added.
Saying the Mopa airport has paved the way for other destructive policies and projects such as expansion of existing highways and addition of new highways, the nationalisation of rivers and the setting up of the intensely polluting and destructive coal hub at Mormugao, is yet more instances of nefarious and destructive development.
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