Goencho Avaaz slams CM for misusing ‘nationalism’, ‘patriotism’

PANJIM: The Goencho Avaaz on Monday slammed the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant for misusing “nationalism” and “patriotism” to promote crony capitalism by announcing that the proposed double-tracking of South Western Railway line is important for “defence strategic reason”. 

The NGO is referring to the Chief Minister’s submission before the State Assembly that the project is important from defence strategic point of view in case of emergency. 

Addressing the media persons, Captain Viriato Fernandes strongly condemned the BJP-led government for blindly implementing projects, proposed by the Centre even in the face of strong opposition from the people. 

“It is utterly reprehensible that venerated and wholesome concepts like ‘nationalism’ and ‘patriotism’ are devalued and used as a justification for executing the wholesale and systematic destruction of Goa,” he said.

Captain Viriato charged that the government’s totally arbitrary and adhoc manner of functioning and its brazen implementation of destructive infrastructural projects for the benefit of vested corporate interests come at unaffordable cost to the public exchequer and community resources of the State.

He lamented that in a democracy, the government must address issues raised by concerned citizens regarding massive projects involving vast tracts of community resources and valuable agricultural land, displacement of people and destruction of heritage structures and people’s livelihood. 

“However, although citizen groups have made numerous attempts to debate and dialogue with the Sawant-led government, by even providing expert studies and scientific evidence for some years now, they have been met with stony silence and repressive measures that undermine the Constitutional right of the citizens to protest,” the Captain said. 

The NGO also slammed government’s betrayal towards protesting interest of Goa on Mhadei River diversion matter following expose by the Senior Counsel that it was on instructions of the government that he did not oppose notification of Mhadei Tribunal Award in the Supreme Court.