Sardesai also batted for the families whose houses faced demolition. “The Vasco demolition is a humanitarian issue and can be solved on the same basis. Displacement due to development is quite possible and so rehabilitation should be a priority,” he said at a meeting with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Mormugao MLA, Milind Naik.
He stated that former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had promised compensation for the displaced families, and urged the government to finalize a rehabilitation package/policy before going ahead with further demolitions. He supported the government’s drive to clean up the State’s beaches and create infrastructure, but did not want it at the cost of people’s shelter.
Clarifying his reason for visiting the demolition sites, the MLA stated that he had done so at the request of the fishermen and ethnic Goan communities in Baina, and not for anyone else.
