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Re: [Goanet]Of Dabolim, MOPA ......ani Bosco's dis and dat Thanks Dr. Jose Colaco for your input and insight and your thoughts for the betterment of the Goans and Goa in particular. Bosco, you have made your point wrt the letter Carmo Santos and I have forwarded with the express permission of Churchill Alemao (a copy of which is available with me). http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/2004-October/111441.html http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/2004-October/111380.html We hope that more Goans will be enlightened by it and let the debate continue... unless this mailing list does not wish to - as more than often, some remarks are made without relevance and regard to the subject discussed, specially if it originates and/or discussed by AlmeidaG(ji) of www.goa-world.com. Once a senior Goan politicians have remarked: What's the use of getting masons and carpenters by charter flights? To-date no one bothered to respond. If you need to know about it, we have it archived at www.goa-world.com Bosco, R V Prabhugaoker in The Times of India, way back in January 10, 2001 has highlighted that Goa's first Christian Chief Minister and present South Goa Member of Parliament, Churchill Alemao, has strongly opposed the MOPA airport arrangement since the very begining. And were are taking about 2000-01. It is not a new thing for Churchill Alemao to dwell on the subject, as it is his priority to see that the majority of the cream of the first-class hotel chains will be affected in South Goa (to whom he is indebted for their trust and confidence reposed in him) and so also to save the 500,000 plus (estimated) workforce, directly and indirected related to the hospitality, travel, services and food industry - which will be rendered redunctant. Not only did Churchill Alemao, but even Francisco Sardinha and Dr. Wilfred A. D'Souza, our Saligao MLA, had objected during that time. http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/2004-October/111392.html According to press reports in July 2002 attributed to the then North Goa MP, Shripad Naik, after being made Civil Aviation Minister, Rs 150 crore has been sanctioned by the Union government recently to augment more terminals for domestic and international flights at Dabolim airport. Where has the money gone? It is a pity to see a small structure being built for the past two years as 'annex' facility to the existing terminal building which gives a picture of unprofessional construction work. Does this justify the sum allocated? Going back eight years, exactly on Sept. 25, 1996 dated reports by DH News Service, a statement by non other than the Rear Admiral Suresh Mehta, flag officer commanding, Goa Area, remarked: "Not only would the Navy not vacate Dabolim airport, but its ownership of the airfield too was beyond question". He wanted to lay to rest the debate provoked by ''vested elements" on the ownership of the airport, taken over by them after the liberation of Goa in 1961. ''Neither time nor money would permit our country to pump in Rs.25,000 crore to replace this facility. In our mutual interest, I would urge all of you to discourage such discussion which is totally infructuous. The ownership of the airfield is not negotiable," he told a group of representatives of the tourism industry whom he recently addressed at a face to face meet organised by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Read more on the same report: The Goa government`s decision to set up a new civilian airport at Mopa, North Goa, at an estimated cost of Rs.1,000 crore triggered off a debate with the local outfit Gomant Lok Pox (GLP) insisting that the Navy look for other alternatives and ''return`` Dabolim to the Goa government. Tourism Minister Dr Wilfred De Souza had also said that it would be cheaper to build alternative facilities for the Navy at the Sea Bird base in Karwar, than for the State government to put up a new airport of international standards. The GLP demand is believed to be supported by some business circles in the State. http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/2004-October/111401.html In his opening address at the face to face meet between the Navy and tourism representatives, the president of the Goa Chamber Dattaraj Salgaocar remarked pointedly that ''there is a feeling in some quarters that it would be up to the Navy to seek and find a new address, that Dabolim came to them in the aftermath of Operation Vijaya in 1961 that liberated Goa, and that the time has come for the Navy to restore the airport to the civilian authorities.`` But Admiral Mehta who was well prepared to handle any provocation and criticism that the naval presence had been hampering tourist charter operations to this State, took the wind out of the sails of the tourism lobby, sources said. All procedures were followed and compensation was paid for the land acquired for the naval air station, Admiral Mehta said. Quoting a lease agreement signed between the ministry of defence and the civil aviation department, he pointed out that the use of the airfield for civil aviation purposes was subject to the condition that it would in no way interfere with the functioning of the Navy. The airport lacked mechanised ground handling facilities, computerised air space management, taxiways and parking space. All this would cost money, but the Navy was more than willing to co-operate to aid the State with its tourism requirements, the Admiral said, using the opportunity to ask those present to desist from selling Goa as a ''cheap pleasure destination". ----- Now my question in support of Dr. Jose Colaco and Churchill Alemao is: How many of Goans in cyberspace as well as down in Goa knew that: a) compensation was paid for the land acquired for the naval air station. b) details of a lease agreement signed between the ministry of defence and the civil aviation department, that the use of the airfield for civil aviation purposes was subject to the condition that it would in no way interfere with the functioning of the Navy. c) the cheap pleasure destination ? What's so cheap available according to the Rear Admiral? Bosco, take your time. Let's debate it! http://www.colaco.net/1/ChurchillDabolimLetterNavy.htm If you or anyone knew about the 'compensation' and 'lease agreement' let me know about it. Enjoy your weekend. AlmeidaG(ji) www.goa-world.com ________ # 4: Goa has always had a State Government and MPs in Delhi. Why have the dozen-or-so CMs not pushed the case ***strongly enough*** in the past ?? # 5: Coming back to WHY.....why is there so much noise about the airport NOW ?? Is it because of the plan to build an airport in MOPA ?? ===== Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter since 1994 is moderated by [EMAIL PROTECTED]@R ALMEID@, Associate goa-world.com & presented by Ulysses Menezes, Owner goa-world.com website. All postings with photos, graphics, cartoons archived at www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com