October 11, 2013
PRESS STATEMENT GFDO expressed disappointment that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had completed the land acquisition started by the previous regime for Mopa. It is surprising that even though the Environment Impact Assessment for the second airport in Goa has not yet been done, both the erstwhile Congress as well the present BJP dispensations have assumed that the EIA will be favourable for the setting up of the second airport in an environmentally sensitive region. GFDO stated that Chief Minister Parrikar should realise that the time for blaming the previous government for every problem faced by Goa is now over. Goans are well aware of what has been done in the past. The moot question is, what is being done now! GFDO pointed out that the people of Goa had done their part when they voted out the previous government and strengthened Mr. Parrikar’s hands by giving him a clear majority. Since that day of much hope and potential, the people of Goa seem to be waiting in vain for the Chief Minister and his government to do their part. Mr. Parrikar will therefore surely understand why the people of Goa are so distressed that he has chosen to blatantly continue going along with anti people policies of the past that have been categorically rejected by Goans. He continues to go against his own people by acquiring their land and displacing them for the construction of a totally unwarranted second airport for the state. The people of Goa have a right to know why Mr. Parrikar feels the need to traumatise his own people by acquiring their land and disrupting their way of life, even before the Environment Impact Assessment that would throw light upon the very feasibility of this project has been conducted. His unwillingness to justify his government’s eagerness to construct this second airport, is certainly grounds for suspicion as to its motives in this regard. If Mr. Parrikar insists on going against the interest of Goa and Goans, then the people of Goa will be compelled to make their decision known in the near future as to the wisdom and merit of a government policy that is more concerned about fulfilling the profit motive of vested interests even at the cost of destruction of lives and livelihoods of Goans. GFDO said that it is now absolutely certain that the Mopa project is only in winter hibernation as long as the status quo is maintained for the land acquired for it from poor, helpless Goans. Until this land is returned to its rightful owners, the people are well aware that the shadow of Mopa is only “in deep slumber” to arise and torment Goans all over again once election season is over. Therefore, GFDO will not rest until the land snatched so callously from the people is returned to its rightful owners. Fr. Eremito Rebello Convenor
