CM pre-occupied with son’s wedding, no solution before Thursday: Dy CM
.
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Vishnu Desai and his family will have to continue their ongoing indefinite hunger strike at least till December 27 after curtains come down on the wedding reception of the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar’s son scheduled on December 26.
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza told a delegation from Cuncolim supporting the demand of the farmer for return of the agricultural land, that the Chief Minister is pre-occupied with his son’s reception scheduled on December 26 and hence ruled out any solution to the issue before Thursday.
He, however, has invited the delegation for discussions on December 27 with the government in an effort to work out a solution to the deadlock. “I cannot give any promise on a solution to the tangle. I cannot disturb the Chief Minister when he is busy with his son’s wedding. I and the Chief Minister are heading to Delhi by the evening flight and I will discuss the issue with him during the flight”, D’Souza said.
The deputy Chief Minster gave an audience to the delegation during his visit to the Margao Municipal Council to launch on-line payment of house tax, but declined to give any assurance for the return of the farmer’s land. On the other hand, D’Souza feared that any decision to return back the land to the farmer may set a bad precedent and may lead to similar demand elsewhere.
Moreover, he said the government has not acquired the land and pushed the blame on the acquiring department, the Cuncolim Municipal Council. However, President of Goenchea Xetkrancho Ekvott Dilip Hegde recalled that the Chief Minster had promised to keep the acquisition in abeyance, but lamented that the proceedings were subsequently capped by handing the land to the civic body.
Dr Jorson Fernandes maintained that Vishnu is one farmer who makes optimum use of the land by going in for three crops a year, while making a strong case for the return of the acquired land.
When the attention of the deputy Chief Minister was drawn to the promise made by the Chief Minister to return the agricultural fields to Navelim farmers under contract farming, D’Souza said all these options can be discussed on the December 27 meeting with the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Vishnu and his family have decided to continue the ongoing hunger strike till the government comes out with a solution. Monday saw former MLA Dilkush Desai extending his support to the beleaguered farmer. Social activist Tara Kerkar said the government should work out a solution for the return of the land to the Desai family.
In the meantime, groups representing farmers from across the State called on the agitating farmer and expressed their solidarity. They have demanded the immediate return of the agricultural fields.
