Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai on Saturday said that the year 2021 will be the year to save Goa from the three linear projects namely power transmission line, railway double-tracking and national highway expansion.
Speaking on the occasion of the prize distribution ceremony of a crib competition organised by Goa Forward Mandrem, Sardesai said that the crib is a symbol of unity and it’s this unity that will take the community and the village forward.
Sardesai added that Goenkars are saying Goyant Kolloso Naka and Save Goa Save Mollem, but Chief Minister Sawant says he would go ahead with these projects as he has got the mandate citing the recently held Zilla Panchayat elections. Sawant has sold River Mhadei to Karnataka which he considers much more than a mother to him. 2020 was a year of bad luck and bad leadership, but 2021 is a year to save Goa.
“The bankrupt government has taken a loan of Rs 100 crore to hold 60th Liberation Day celebration across the State and now the government is asking the Goenkars to send in suggestions on how to celebrate 60 years of Liberation. This is nothing but mockery. Dr Pramod Sawant’s government has become the agent of the Delhi lobby and wants to make Goa a coal corridor,” he said.
He further said that one of the Cabinet ministers is fully involved in the coal transportation and Dr Sawant is more interested in his Cabinet minister Milind Naik rather than Goenkars. Earlier 16 million tonnes of coal was handled by Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and after the Sagar Mala project is implemented it would be around 136 million tonnes.
Sardesai, while praising Goa Forward Mandrem candidate Deepak Kalangutkar said that he has brought the local talent to the limelight by organising the crib competition. Save Goa, Save Mollem and Goyant Kolloso Naka themes have been the focus in the crib competition which shows the existing anger amongst the general public.
Fr Victor Ferrao, dean of Rachol Seminary, who was present said that we can learn a lot from the crib competition. This event has given a clear message that time has come to save Goa. Few decades back we had Operation Vijai to liberate Goa. “It’s time to have Operation Vijai 2,” said Fr Victor.
Goa Forward Woking President Kiran Kandolkar appealed to Kalangutkar to hold carol singing competition from next year onwards. Morjim Zilla Panchayat Satish Shetgaonkar, Fr Francis, Brother Myran, Mandrem Sarpanch Ambrose Fernandes were also present.
