TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday announced he would take a delegation of legislators to the Centre by September end with a detailed proposal for granting special status to Goa, either under article 371 of the Constitution of India or by creating a new law to preserve the State’s limited resources.
Parrikar informed the State legislative assembly that a fortnight back the office of Union Home Minister called to inform him about the State’s proposal for granting special status. The office has asked to submit a detailed proposal on the issue.
The Chief Minister announced he would be taking the delegation to meet officials of Union Home Minister after Ganesh Chaturthi. “We have been clear with our demand. We want special status either under article 371 of the constitution or any other provisions or by creating a new law as per the constitution,” he said, responding to the question raised by Porvorim independent legislator Rohan Khaunte.
“During our meeting we will convince the Centre as to what and why we want special status,” he said. Khaunte sought to know the status of the government’s promise to grant special status for Goa. The MLA appealed to the CM to take up the matter with the Centre at the earliest before Goa loses its identity and land resources.
Former Chief Minister and Congress legislator Digambar Kamat also urged the government to take up the matter on priority, especially ban on selling of properties to non-Goans.
Replying to the same, Chief Minister recalled that the assembly had last year unanimously passed a resolution on special status and the same is being forwarded to the Prime Minister.
Countering Khaunte’s allegation that Goa is losing its identity due to influx of migrants, Parrikar said, “We cannot solely blame migrants; there are several unwanted elements Goans are falling prey to, which we had never thought.” He alleged that several politicians did business of illegally selling properties by forging signatures.
Parrikar said that state is making all efforts to pursue the matter of special status with the Central government.
