lExudes confidence that demand for Special Status can be achieved within five years
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not skirted the issue of Special status for Goans during his weekend visit to the state, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar on Tuesday said the BJP government would fulfil the dream of Goans within the next five years.
The South Goa MP further said that the Prime Minister has not suggested any ban on export of iron ore from Goa, adding that the iron ore exports would continue from the state.
“No. I do not agree that the Prime Minister has deliberately avoided making a mention of Special Status for Goa during his visit. The Prime Minister has been clear that he would support the demands of Goans. This includes Special Status”, Sawaikar said during an interaction with the media here on Tuesday.
Sawaikar, however, said it would take some time to complete the process as it requires Amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution. “The Amendment will have to be supported by half the number of state Legislative Assemblies. It involves a process and one should bear in mind that Special Status cannot be conferred via a notification, but only through an Amendment to the constitution,” he said. To another question, he said the BJP would take up the issue with the Centre based on the resolution adopted by the Goa Legislative Assembly. Asked whether the BJP would set a deadline for itself to achieve the demand, Sawaikar said the party has five long years to take a call, while exuding confidence that the demand for Special Status can be achieved within five years.
“The Prime Minister during his visit to Goa earlier this year had sympathised with Goans over Special Status. Modi has been the Prime Minister for only 19 days now. And you cannot achieve Special Status within that period”, he said. He said that Goa is not asking for Special Status on the lines of Bihar or Odisha for an economic package, adding, “Goa has a strong case since our demand is aimed at protecting our scarce land resources and our identity”.
