Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has promised to tackle the railway double tracking issue and the coal pollution issue and ensure that Goa’s environment is protected and that Goa does not become a coal hub. Lending an ear to voices of fishermen, fish vendors, fruit vendors and toddy tappers at Dando Velsao on Saturday, he called for a balance between environment and development, big and small fishermen, big hotels and home stays. Rahul is on a one day visit to Goa, to ramp up public opinion in favour of the Congress, ahead of the 2022 Assembly Elections.
Development should not be in favour of one or two big businessmen who have huge money. The role of the government is to defend the rights of the people. Clean environment is the people’s right and govt should defend it. If fishermen spend huge amounts of money on diesel, govt should reduce their burden, Rahul Gandhi told people, who had come from various parts of Goa.
Fishermen raised issue of rising water levels, 60% cut in subsidies, inability of fishermen and toddy tappers to get permission to repair or build houses by the beach in view of CRZ regulations and destruction of sand dunes and water bodies by big hotels. They contended that big hotels hardly provide any revenue to the panchayats, nor do they give good jobs to youth. Calling for a ban on more hotels, the coastal communities batted for home stays.
Speaking on drafting of Congress Manifesto, Rahul Gandhi said “Congress Manifesto will be drafted in coming days by talking to various sections of people. The common thread will be to protect environment, fishermen and the weak. My credibility is important to me. I’m not here to waste your time and mine. Commitments in our manifesto are guarantees,” Rahul stated.
