PANJIM: Orixtt Projecho Avaz (OPA) will continue
its protest against the DefExpo and will hold a public meeting on March 6 at
the DefExpo site.
An OPA delegation met Chief Minister Laxmikant
Parsekar on Thursday evening to hear the government’s clarification on the
permanent venue issue, how the State will earn and how locals will benefit.
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OPA told media persons that the Chief Minister
told the delegation that should locals install stalls (gadas) selling ice cream
and snacks they will earn and the panchayat should impose taxes on the stalls.
“We are not satisfied with the answers of the CM.
In fact he was not able to answer a single question and our protests will
continue” OPA president Pressy Fernandes said.
OPA member Charles D’Souza said the CM was unable
to explain how and in what way revenue could be earned and how locals and the
panchayat is going to benefit. OPA has demanded a report on the expo and asked
the government to issue an order withdrawing permission for permanent use of
Naqueri land for the DefExpo.
OPA spokesperson Freddy Fernandes said, “We don’t
trust with this government as before coming to power in 2012, Manohar Parrikar
(former chief minister), had assured us that GIDC land will be reverted back
but after coming to power he kept quiet and now after becoming Defense Minister
he wants such an expo on the same land”.
