TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The three-day impasse over the RSS convention in the agricultural fields at Rawanfond was finally resolved on Tuesday, with the RSS leadership agreeing to shift the three-day convention near the district library complex, Margao.
The solution came after Navelim MLA and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado brokered talks between the farmers and the RSS leaders through the intervention of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The news about the shifting of the convention was conveyed by the Navelim MLA to the secretary of Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum Joseph L Vaz and the farmers on Tuesday morning.
Commenting on the solution, the Navelim forum along with Navelchea Xetkarancho Ekvott has expressed their happiness that the three-day RSS program which was supposed to be held in their cultivated fields opposite Konkan Railway Station, Margao, has been shifted elsewhere. Both the NCCF and NXE have thanked the Navelim MLA for convincing the Chief Minister not to have the program in the fields.
“Farmers are happy that their fields have been saved from destruction, which would have made cultivation difficult and would have greatly reduced the yield of paddy for the next few years. This development also assured the farmers that further no other non-agricultural activities will be carried out in cultivable fields”, Vaz said.
He, however, said the farmers of Navelim are hopeful that the Navelim MLA will fulfil his election promise regarding their long-standing demand of dropping the acquisition and returning the fields to their original owners.
Both the NCCF and NXE have demanded that GSUDA withdraw the false and frivolous complaint filed against NCCF Secretary Joseph L Vaz claiming encroachment and excavation in the fields.
The NXE said the farmers have been cultivating these fields continuously for more than 70 years or so without any break in between.
“We are surprised by the complaint lodge against Vaz for trespass and encroachment and for excavation in the fields. We have ploughed the fields and started cultivating the second crop this season”, NXE said.
