TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Asserting that two airports are not feasible and viable in a small state like Goa, Goemkar convenor Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday dared Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar and BJP leaders to join a public debate on the contentious airport issue.
Addressing a meeting of Goemkar at Raia this evening, Sardesai said the Mopa airport project is nothing but a real estate scam supported by both the BJP and the Congress for their vested interests.
“The BJP leaders are running away from a debate on the airport issue because they are afraid they will be exposed for pushing Mopa for their vested interests,” he said, adding that neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Civil Aviation Ministry has given in writing that Dabolim will continue to exist for civilian operations after Mopa becomes a reality.
Complimenting the people of Raia for adopting a resolution opposing Mopa airport, the Fatorda MLA said people from other parts of Goa should emulate the example and oppose Mopa airport at the gram sabhas. He praised local MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for his bold stand against Mopa airport, but took pot shots at South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha for supporting the two-airport theory.
In his address, social activist Aires Rodrigues came down heavily on the Chief Minister and threatened to move the court if the police fail to register an FIR against Parrikar based on his complaint.
Terming the Lokayukta passed by the government as “toothless”, Aires said that the retired Supreme Court Judge should not take up his appointment as Goa Lokayukta, adding “Justice Reddy can take up his appointment as Goa Lokayukta only if he wants to be a puppet in the hands of the Chief Minister”.
Accusing the government for bringing the amendments without study, Aires said even the BJP leaders and MP Sripad Naik have now said that the amendments were indeed bad. In his address, Rachol Sarpanch Joseph Vaz vehemently opposed the proposed bridge linking Shiroda and Rachol.
Hotelier Serafino Cota said the proposed airport at Mopa would destroy tourism in Goa and appealed to all Goans to join hands to oppose the construction of the new airport.
Adv John Monteiro and others also spoke.
