Eduardo feted on 70th birthday
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 26
The Commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro was today felicitated on his 70th birthday at the hands Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways for his immense contrition to Goa.
It was an emotional moment for Faleiro who received standing ovation, presented with Silver Celler and his portrait unveiled in the presence of galaxy of eminent persons.
Speaking on the occasion Union Minister said felicitating Faleiro means recognising the values he brought into public life. Other prominent speakers Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsing Rane, Ramakant Khalap, Chairman of Law Commission who headed the felicitation Committee along with Cezar Menezes, President of Goa Chamber of Commerce spoke about Faleiro’s contribution to Goa.
Speakers lauded his contribution right from his fight for Goa’s contribution, the campaign for the recognisition of Konkani as the official language, the repatriation and safe passage of Goans in distress in Kuwait during the Gulf war
1990-94 and return of Goan gold from Portugal.
Faleiro was the Goan to join the Central Cabinet as Minister of State, and later went to handle various portfolios including External Affairs, Economic Affairs, Fertilisers, Electronics and Ocean Development.
The function was attended by who’s who of Goa with prominent industrialists, senior citizens, friends, politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers and others.
Wants special provision for Goa
The Commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro who has contributed hugely in his forty-years of his public service said the government of India should agree to the demand of Goa government to make special provision under Article 371 of the Constitution so that outsiders cannot buy land in Goa.
He was speaking during his felicitation on his 70 the birthday on Tuesday here. He said , at the present cost of land , the average Goan cannot own a dwelling and the price of the land is likely to further rise.
“People will only have kapada but not makan, “he said highlighting the need for Special provision to protect interest of the Goans.
He also said a comprehensive tourism policy is required urgently so that the economic benefits of tourism are maximized and its social costs are eliminated. Also, the government should focus on information technology services as Goa has high rate of literacy and Goans are most suited for work in this field.
