MARGAO: Opposing the nationalization of inland waterways, Goa Forward state executive said it is alarmed at the decision of the Goa BJP government to transfer total ownership and control of the six waterways of Goa — Mandovi, Zuari, Cumbarjua, Chapora, Mapusa and Sal to the central government.
The State Executive, in a statement to the press, has questioned the haste and hurry in which such an “anti-Goa” and “anti-Goan” resolution is taken by the state government ahead of the general elections.
“This is a total reversal and negation of the special status that BJP promised to work for,” Prabhakar Timble, GF president said. “The coastal lands of Goa are already in the hands of outsiders and the hinterlands are “recklessly” sold in the name of investment promotion. With Goa losing its internal waterways meant for local transportation, tourism and fisheries to “capitalists” like Adani, Ambani, Vedanta and the like, what will be left of Goa in 2017?, he questioned.
“The Goa Forward party State Executive supports social control of natural resources. However, this is a blatant case of privatization of inland waterways of Goa under the label of nationalisation. This is providing the waterways of Goa on a platter to private capitalists in the garb of nationalisation. The state BJP government is an “abettor” to this crime of full scale transfer of Goa’s waterways wealth to crony capitalists taking the route of nationalization.” “This will destroy fisheries and throw out the fishing community of Goa from their traditional source of livelihood and employment”.
Rajmohan Shetye, Vice-President GF was critical of the assurance given by CM Parsekar that consultation with stakeholders would be done at the stage of finalization of the MoU.
