----------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be better informed CONSUMERS. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: goad...@bsnl.in ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Is Churchill rooting for Karwar to be part of Goa ? ---------------------------------------------------- People living in the neighbouring villages across Goa’s border with Karnataka including Karwar wish to be part of Goa, according to PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.
During a press conference here, Alemao mentioned that “two villages” including Karwar have expressed their desire to de-link themselves from Karnataka and join Goa state. “They are all Konkani speaking people – originally from Goa - may be many of them had gone there during the early years of Portuguese presence in Goa” Alemao said the area consists of 3 lakh people and the area is around 3,000 sq km. Goa which has 3700-odd sq km area has a population of around 14 lakh. Alemao said the area has many assets - the Kaiga nuclear plant, naval base, etc Goa needs to think on this issue, he said clarifying that he should not be misunderstood on the issue. Some time ago, some people from the region called on him and he made a statement that people should think over it, he said stating that his political rivals tried to misguide his workers that he wants Karwar to be merged in Goa. Clarifying that he has not taken any stand on the issue, Alemao said nonetheless, it’s an important subject for discussion. Goa’s land mass could almost be doubled if the state decides on it, he opined. He answered in the negative whether the issue has been discussed among legislators of Goa so far. Alemao said Goa can benefit from the power plant and be self-sufficient. Besides, the naval base from Dabolim could be shifted to Karwar. All this has to be studied. However, he once again said he didn’t want to be a protagonist lest he is misunderstood or caught in a controversy. Replying to another question, he made it clear that it is not Vishal Gomantak – which was much debated in the state two decades ago. More than a year ago, some Konkani-speaking leaders from Goa’s neighbouring villages had come up with the proposal to merge the area into Goa. They had also held meetings in their villages and finding support, they had discussed the issue with some Goa leaders too. ------------------------------------- HERALD 05/6/09 page 2 ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: goa...@bsnl.in ----------------------------------------------------------