Airport issue: public meeting called today NT News Service / The Navhind Times
Margao Sept 13, 2005: The South Goa Lok Sabha member, Mr Churchill Alemao has now decided to take his crusade against the proposed Mopa airport to the streets and for he has given the call for a public meeting on September 14, besides setting up of an action committee to oppose the project and chalk out future course of action. The meeting convened by Mr Alemao is likely to be attended by most stakeholders of Goas tourism industry taxi divers, hotel staff, shack owners and others. The meeting will decide the strategy to be adopted for highlighting the need to upgrade the existing Dabolim airport over the proposed Mopa project. Mr Alemao stated that this meeting to be held at Adarsh hall would be a small step towards tackling this serious issue and protecting the interests of Goa and Goans. If people want the Dabolim airport to continue and be upgraded, then I am always there for them, Mr Alemao revealed. To a query on the entire issue acquiring political dimensions, the South Goa MP shot back saying, there is no politics involved here. I am an MP due to the people who voted for me and the same goes for the MLAs. Mr Alemao opined that it was the duty of an elected representative to go as per the wishes of the electorate. Calling for a decision that would benefit Goa alone and not Maharashtra and some vested interests from Goa, Mr Alemao stated that the Dabolim airport was already been accorded international status and the funds sanctioned. It is only an upgrade that is required as against building the entire infrastructure, he said. The South Goa MP took a dig at his party colleague and the Pernem MLA, Mr Jeetendra Deshprabhu and remarked the only Goan beneficiaries of the Mopa project will be Mr Jeetendra Deshprabhus family and some industrialists and hoteliers. He revealed that he had received a lot of letters expressing support for the cause. Mr Alemao opined that barring certain politicians like the Cortalim MLA, Mr Mathany Saldanha and former minister, Dr Wilfred Misquita, most others were quite on the issue. They need to remember that being elected representatives it was their dharma to protect voters interests, or else they will be shunted out by the same electorate, he observed. To another query, Mr Alemao denied that he was on a confrontation path with his party. The interests of my electorate are equally important for me to take care of, he informed further adding that even if his party expels him for this it was okay with him. Explaining his point further Mr Alemao disclosed that he learnt of a steering committee set up by the state government comprising of the Chief Minister and Mr Deshprabhu among others only through news reports. I was not aware of decisions taken by this steering committee as I am not a member, the two-time MP revealed. In a lighter vein he added that perhaps his omission as a member was his known opposition to the Mopa project. The former minister, Dr Wilfred Misquita also present at the press briefing stated that an impression had been created that there was no land available in and around present airport for expansion plans. On the contrary there is plenty of land available. And this false impression is being created by a few Goans having a non-caring attitude, he revealed. Dr Misquita opined that people are supreme and they should be respected. - Forwarded by http://www.goa-world.com This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter is dedicated to Goans around the Globe. http://www.goa-world.com/ Team, moderated by Almeida Gaspar since 1994 & presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website. Comedian Philip's mega musical show with a JUMBO cast "Tum Vhoir Aum Sokol" in Kuwait on 16th Sept. 3:30 pm at Hawalli A/C Hall, Kuwait. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
