18 Feb 2017  |   07:46pm IST

Shantaram opposes aero show at Mopa

Team Herald

PANJIM: Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has opposed the State government’s move to hold next aero show at Mopa stating it would be against the interest of Goa.

“It is shocking that the Defence Ministry is encroaching in the jurisdiction of Civil Aviation Ministry which deals with Mopa Airport, and that, when the Defence Ministry has given a shabby treatment to the Airport Authority by refusing to part with the land, in possession of navy, for the using the same for expansion and up gradation of civil airport at Dabolim, at Goa, there is no moral authority vested in the Defence Ministry, by which, it  could seek any land from Airport Authority,” he said in a press statement issued on Saturday.

His remark comes a day after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar expressed his intentions to hold next aero shows at Mopa, permanently or otherwise convert the upcoming airport into a second Defence Airport. “It is without any authority, malicious and against the interest of Goa,” he added further mentioning, “It is further surprising that CM has the audacity to declare that if Mopa is not ready for holding the next Aero Show, it will be held at Dabolim.”

The MP alleged that Parrikar has done tremendous injustice to the State by holding a Defence Expo at Naquerim, a year back despite opposition from certain sections, and subsequently seeking land for navy at Mopa. “Now, he is further seeking land for Air Force,for holding aero shows at Mopa,” states the press note. 

He sought Defence Ministry’s clarification whether the land sought by Navy from Goa Government and the land being sought by Air force are two separate parcels of land, and whether in whose possession is the land being sought by the Air Force.