PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday stated that the government has always reached out to the common man on all issues.
The CM, while addressing the media at his official residence after a two-day visit to New Delhi, was asked about opposition to various projects in the State and replied, “If people do not want, we are ready to rethink.”
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
He took a dig at ‘outsiders’, as the Save Mollem campaign gains worldwide attention, asserting that he is more concerned about protecting the Bhagvan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park and came down heavily on the social media campaign against his government.
“We are protecting entire Mollem. It is government’s responsibility to protect Mollem. Mollem is more close to me more than the outsiders. I have been living in a village and seen the wildlife sanctuary and national park,” he said.
The CM was questioned about apprehensions regarding the felling of around 80,000 trees in the protected area. Sawant was quick to reply in negative. “Those who do not want to be convinced they will not be convinced, however, hard we try to because they have set the election agenda. People should not worry and not come up with insensitive statements. We are not going to cut 80,000 trees….minimum to minimum… The social media is unnecessarily flooded with videos with election agenda set (to campaign against the developmental projects),” he added, as he indirectly lashed out at opposition and environmentalists for misleading people.
The issue of double tracking, which has also come under severe criticism, was discussed with Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and others at the Centre.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Goa within a month to understand the functioning of MPT subsequent to which decision on reducing coal handling at the port will be taken.
Sawant said that the Centre has assured that coal handling will be reduced in comparison with the current permissible limit. “Highest quantity of coal, that is, 14 million tonnes had arrived in Goa in 2017. It will never be allowed to go beyond this 14-15 million tonnes. In fact we will reduce it further. We are also looking at other avenues such as using the port for pharma products, tourism etc. If iron ore starts, coal will be further reduced to 3 to 4 million tonnes,” he said.
The State is being accused of going ahead with the proposed double tracking of railway line which the protestors allege is to increase coal transportation.
Ports Minister Michael Lobo, on being asked, also opined that coal handling at MPT will be reduced. “CM will take an appropriate decision and it will be in the interest of Goa and Goans. During the then CM’s (Manohar Parrikar) term, I had asked a pointed question in the Legislative Assembly if the tonnage of coal at MPT will be increased. His (Parrikar) reply was that he will not allow,” he told media persons outside CM’s residence, indicating that government will not go back on its decision.
