VASCO: Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho unfurled the tricolour at Tilak Maidan in Vasco on the 72nd Independence Day of India. 

On the occasion, Mauvin expressed disgust at the “toilet cleaners” remark made by senior Congress leader and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane against Goans working abroad.

He also called Mopa airport as the engine of growth for Goa. 

On the toilet cleaner controversy, Mauvin said, “We recognise the contribution of NRIs from Goa all over the world. Goans are strongly rooted to the state of Goa and are known as loyal people. If anybody is condemning them for working abroad and calling them ‘toilet cleaners’ it is to be condemned in the strongest words as it is not our culture to condemn menial work. I felt very sad to hear such comments and perhaps it’s the result of medieval thinking.”

Terming the Mopa airport as the engine of growth, Mauvin said that it would be necessary to cater to the growing footfall of tourists in Goa and also to keep pace with economic development of the State. 

“Some unnecessary controversy was created that if Mopa comes up, Dabolim will be shut down. The amount of money that has been spent and the improvement done at Dabolim shows that it will go a very long way to cater to the ever increasing footfall of tourists coming here,” Mauvin said.

Claiming that he has been at the forefront of protecting the interest of Goan taxi men at the airport, the Minister said, “We are not here to destroy the livelihood of the existing taxi men; we will solve the problems and will protect all. But at the same time we should not kill the goose that lays golden eggs. If transport doesn’t ease and tourists stop coming to Goa, then we will starve. Hence, we will have to give them ease of transport and we’ll have to strike a balance,” Mauvin said. 

“We have to understand if there is no economic activity in Goa there will be no employment generated and hence everybody will have to leave Goa for employment,” he said. 

Criticising the Congress for Mhadei Tribunal order, Mauvin said, “I must complement the legal team who fought to get the decision of the Tribunal in Goa’s favour. It is in the interest of Goa. However, all this would not have happened if the Chief Minister of Congress 10-12 years hadn’t sent a letter claiming that they have no objection for diversion of the river.”