PORVORIM: In a welcome move, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane withdrew his charge of ‘fraud’ levelled against the green NGO Goa Foundation, during a debate on the Floor of the House, last week.
At the same time, the Minister announced the government’s decision to approach the Supreme Court challenging the High Court of Bombay at Goa’s order directing the State to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as Tiger Reserve within three months.
“On the Floor of the House during demands on Thursday (last week), I had used the word fraud as far as the Goa Foundation was concerned. I want to withdraw the word. I also want to make a categorical statement on the Floor of the House that if I have hurt anybody’s sentiments with that word fraud, I withdraw it,” Rane told the State Legislative Assembly.
Rane had earlier launched a scathing attack on the Goa Foundation- the petitioner in the Tiger Reserve case, calling them “fraud” and “pain for the state of Goa”. “They are imposing obstructive policies in the progressive State like Goa and they don’t deserve to be in Goa,” he had said.
On the floor of the House on Monday, he spoke in a conciliatory tone. “As far as they (GF) are concerned, they can continue to do what they feel they are doing, but as a State, we will continue to approach the Supreme Court and do justice for the people from Canacona to Sattari. Whatever needs to be done, will be done. This is a government stand that we are with the people. We will put up our case before the appropriate authority. We have seen that we run a viable State,” the Minister added.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Rane, who also holds a TCP portfolio, clarified his statement to stop clearing the files of architects. “I am correcting myself. I will not stop any architect’s files. But he said that members of SLC of RP 2021 will be blacklisted and not be appointed on any TCP committees,” he said.
“Architects and their association files will be handled and cleared as per process,” Rane added.
