November 9, 2015 GFDO PRESS NOTE
GFDO said that the Bihar elections had sent a clear and unambiguous message to the Bharatiya Janata Party that the people of this country are essentially democrats at heart and will not entertain a dictatorial and divisive style of governance. It is to be hoped that at least now, the BJP government in Goa, assimilates the lessons of Bihar and changes its autocratic and unaccountable style of governance. Despite its inability or intentional failure to fulfil its election promises, the BJP government has inexplicably moved full steam ahead to push through projects that were never ever on its manifesto. For two years now, the GFDO along with various other groups have been voicing the concerns and doubts of the people of Goa regarding the economic and environmental feasibility and viability of the unnecessary Mopa Airport project that is being foisted upon the state. The government has obstinately refused to clarify the relevant queries raised by concerned citizens and GFDO about this project. In fact, it has even ignored safety concerns expressed about the site of this proposed project by the Chairman of the Site Selection Committee and ex AAI Director R C Khurana in his report and the ICAO and ADPi expert opinions that one airport is the best solution for Goa. Indeed, the unviability of this project has been conclusively proved by the compulsion of this government to literally cajole and entice bidders for the Mopa Airport project by gifting 232 acres land at 2.5 FAR for unrestricted commercial development, which shockingly, will remain with the builder, even if the Airport project is cancelled. The government does not seem to consider that these are community resources belonging to the people of Goa and cannot be gifted away at the whims and fancies of those who happen to be in power. Little wonder then, that CM Parsekar is least interested in pursuing Special Status for Goa which was on the BJP manifesto, but which involves the preservation of Goan land and identity. The hidden costs of this white elephant of an Airport, are now being seen in the shape of the Tiracol golf course, the unaffordable and exorbitant elevated approach road to the Mopa Airport, almost 7.5 kms. long, and the massive widening of the National Highways that will cause massive displacement and dispossession of Goan people. All this suffering must be endured by the people of Goa, just to make the BJP’s dream project possible. For a state keeping itself afloat through massive and unsustainable loans, the BJP government’s huge and losing gamble at the cost of the people of Goa for favoured vested interests is nothing but a total sell out of the Goan electorate and the land that an elected government is supposed to protect. Instead of heeding the desperate cries of people all over Goa, this government talks of enacting laws that will undermine the rights of the citizen over private and community resources even further, just to facilitate the interests of lobbies and other corporate interests for obvious reasons. There are plans afoot to make illegal structures on community and private land legal. The subtle undermining of people’s democratic rights under this government has reached unbearable proportions. It is to be hoped that the message and lessons of Bihar are taken seriously by the BJP government in Goa. Or else the arrogant unresponsiveness, attitude of unaccountability and complete disconnect with the people who voted it into power, will be roundly repaid in the approaching 2017 state elections. For GFDO Eremito Rebelo Convenor
