July 18, 2013
PRESS NOTE
GFDO expressed shock at the CM’s latest U turn on the state government’s
assurance to the AAI at the meeting held on 12th May, 2006 that land for
city side airport infrastructure would be made available to them. Based on
this assurance, Rs.600 Crores was invested by AAI towards the construction
of a New Terminal and Apron, as part of the planned, on-going expansion of
Goa airport at Dabolim. The AAI has already paid the government an amount of
Rs.4.23 crores towards the land promised for this purpose.
In fact, it will be recalled that Mr. Parrikar, during his stint as Leader
of Opposition, had vociferously alleged that the denotification of Sy.8/1
Dabolim, was a huge scam perpetrated by the previous government. He should
now inform the people of Goa what exactly has changed in dealing with this
alleged scam since he took over the reins of government.
The CM has displayed his double standards when he refuses to allocate the
promised additional land to the AAI for infrastructure for an existing
airport that is servicing Goa’s aviation needs, and demands that it make
optimum use of land already allocated to them. However, he is quite willing
to hand over 80 lakhs sq. metres to private parties to construct a new
airport, when the best airports around the world have been set up with only
around 40 lakhs sq. metres. The people of Goa should also understand this
government’s anti people policies that permit commercial construction on
land notified for public purpose and thereafter inexplicably denotified.
Productive agricultural land which Goans residing at Mopa depend upon for
their livelihood and traditional way of life, however, is acquired for the
construction of an unnecessary Private Public Partnership (PPP) airport for
the profit of vested interests.
It is amusing that the CM calls upon the AAI to hand over the additional
“works” on the non existent land to the state when the State government has
amply displayed that it cannot even manage Goa’s garbage problem let alone
provide basic necessities like adequate water and power to the people in the
last 16 months of its rule.
According to GFDO, the attack on the AAI by the CM is just a ruse to provide
an excuse for him to further strangulate Dabolim airport so as to fulfil the
plans of vested interests in Mopa.
GFDO earnestly appeals to the CM to display strength of character and fulfil
the commitment of the state government, made on behalf of the people of Goa
to hand over 36,800 sq. metres of land in Sy.8/1 Dabolim, or the 70,000 sq.
metres promised in lieu of that, to ensure that urgently infrastructure is
provided for the Goan economy and to maintain the credibility of Goa and
Goans.
For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY
Fr. Eremito Rebelo
Convenor
