PANJIM: Slamming attempts by NGOs to stall government projects by dragging them to courts or tribunals, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Tuesday took a dig at environmentalists saying, “It is a fashion in Goa to halt development in the name of environment”.
“Anyone comes as an environmentalist and takes the government to court or National Green Tribunal in the name of protecting the environment. It is a fashion in Goa now to halt or obstruct development works,” Parsekar said addressing those who had come to felicitate him at his 60th birthday reception organized by the BJP.
“Be it Saligao garbage treatment facility or third bridge over River Mandvoi, citing some or the other environmental issue, the projects were delayed by dragging them before the NGT,” the Chief Minister said indirectly hinting at Goa Foundation, that had challenged both projects before the tribunal.
“But I have learnt a lot from Manohar bhai (Parrikar)….he taught me how to take bold and courageous decisions and that has helped me take up the development and progress of the State,” he added.
Parrikar, the Union Defence Minister, along with Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and all 20 BJP MLAs were present. The MGP ministers and MLA were not present, but Minister and Independent MLA Avertano Furtado attended the felicitation.
In an contradictory statement, the Chief Minister said that Central or State government officers, including IAS officers transferred to Goa, have a special affection towards the State and prefer to have a holiday apartment in Goa. “Similar is in the case of migrants,” he said.
Announcing that by 2020 the State won’t have issues of unemployment, the Chief Minister speaking on youth going outside the State for employment said, “It is very unfortunate that government all these years has failed to create lucrative and reasonable employment. If the trend continues, Goa will be a place for senior citizens,” he said.
