Feels State does not need second airport
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: “Today every Goan is worth Rs one lakh crore, considering the fact that State approximately has two billion tones of iron ore reserves as quoted by Chief Minister,” said Rajendra Kakodkar, a anti mining activist, who has been voicing about the need of sharing the benefits of mining with the people of the state.
Kakodkar stressed on the fact that the precious natural resources ~iron ore belongs to the people of Goa and the mining companies are just lease holders. “They (firms) have no right to enjoy the entire profit. More than half should go to people of Goa and government,” he said.
Quoting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar statement made on the floor of the House, Kakodkar said that ‘if State has 2 billion tones of iron ore reserves, the amount of which comes to around 15 lakh crore if calculated at rate of 150 dollar per tone, than every Goan is worth Rs one lakh crore.” “So, we are the richest people in the world,” he commented. As per 2011 census, the population of Goa is around 15 lakh.
The activist was speaking during a symposium on Special Status for Goa, called by NGO- Movement for Special Status for Goa (MSSG) in Panjim today.
Kakodkar urged Goans to fight for their share in the mining.
Speaking about Greenfield international airport at Mopa, Kakodkar alleged ‘the idea behind having a second airport in Goa is not to benefit the State but to generate party funds through land dealings’.
“As the Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching, the national parties are looking at Mopa as avenue for funds,” he added.
He suggested that government rather than going for second airport, which is not feasible for small state like Goa, should expand Dabolim airport, by acquiring more land.
