*Opinions from Goans in Goa: I guess support from Non Resident Goan in whatever form can only help the cause!!* ** *http://www.navhindtimes.in/opinions* ** *Goa needs special status* Despite the tremendous progress made by Goa after 48 years of its Liberation, the people continue to hope that the central government grants special status to the state. The feeling of being colonised has not yet left us. At present we are concerned of immigrants’ influx, lack of job opportunities, sale of land, exploitation of mines, stench of garbage at every nook and corner, plundering of agricultural fields and green zones for concrete mega projects, sky rocketed cost of living etc. Goa was not part of the Constitutional Assembly deliberation, it was liberal through intervention in 1961, and we missed the two Five Years Plans. To preserve our identity, culture and land, we need special status like Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal or Jammu and Kashmir to regulate or restrict ownership and transfer of land to non-Goans. Goa ought to have been given the special status soon after liberation as promised by the government led by Jawaharlal Nehru. *Zino Carvalho, Davorlim*
*Need to rethink mega complexes* Day in and day out, reports appear in the press about many panchayats in Goa at its gram sabhas objecting the construction of mega complexes near the beaches. The people at large are fully justified in objecting the projects by different builders. In a place like Benaulim all these buildings coming up will constitute a huge complex. The PDA is aware that there is no infrastructure like roads, water, sewage and garbage disposal system in place, but licences are being issued. PDA should conduct a survey of the areas where the construction activity is taking place, and assess if the present infrastructure is sufficient to cater to the new structures coming up and issue licences only when all parameters are complied with and not wait for the complexes to come up. Needless to add that the present residents are suffering because of the lack of broad roads, regular water supply, no sewage and garbage disposal system in place, and electricity playing truant. The new complexes coming up will only aggravate the problem.PDA can notify the areas which have infrastructure in place and grant licences only to those projects. Is the Chief Minister listening? *Devidas Salkar, Mandopa* -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
