CAC locals slam govt over copter joy rides in Arossim

VASCO: The villagers of Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim and NGOs have slammed the Goa government for allowing helicopter joy rides from the premises of a stared hotel in Arossim.

The Cansaulim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC) and Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim Civic and Consumer Forum (CACCCF) held a meeting near the multipurpose sports complex in Cansaulim on Monday to protest the joy rides being organised by Goa Tourism. The speakers not only slammed the government for its anti-people policies, but also threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike, besides approach the courts, if the joy rides were not stopped soon.

The speakers also claimed that the government, including RDA Minister Alina Saldanha, had failed to take the CAC panchayat and villagers into confidence before allowing such activities, which created sound and air pollution.

“It appears that the State BJP government, which we brought to power with high expectations, is working against the wishes of people across the State. Today, Goans have been witnessing one of the worst governance of all times. The joy rides that started in our village have no permission from the Air Traffic Controller (ATC), the Airport Authority of India and the Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim panchayat, but still the government in name of promoting tourism has sidelined the locals,” said Dr Marconi Correia, a local.

Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) member Judith Almeida called the State government “dictatorial”. She further said, “Recently, JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar said that we don’t want freedom from India, we want freedom within India, and that is where the crux of this whole issue lies. Today, our government is trying to take our rights, which have been given to us under the Constitution of India. Our government has been taking decisions without taking the locals into confidence.”

She continued, “Sadly, even the local MLA and Minister Alina Saldanha did not feel the need to consult the panchayat or villagers before giving her say for the Heli-joy rides, which is again in violation of the Panchayati Raj system as the panchayat never gave its permission for such activities.”

“Also, having such a facility can be a serious threat to State security. It is a fact that terrorists have stayed in Goa, partied here and gone back. Who is going to keep an eye as to what kind of people are going to get into these helicopters? I feel that the government is working overtime to force nonsensical and whimsical things like helicopter rides for the affluent on poor Goans, who are struggling for basic needs,” she added.

CVAC president Anthony D’Silva stated, “We are facing total non-cooperation from the government on various issues, and thus, we have decided to launch an indefinite hunger strike and mass protest, besides approaching the court of law if the Heli-joy ride activities of Goa Tourism are not stopped.”

Goans for Dabolim Only convenor Fr Eremito Rebello accused the GTDC chairman of promoting the helicopter rides to earn kickbacks from the helicopter manufacturers and joy ride operator.

He said, “It’s high time that the Goans need to be vigilant and proactive as this government has become very arrogant and insensitive to their needs. GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral should immediately stop the helicopter rides and let the Cansaulkars live in peace with nature as they have been doing since time immemorial.