Protests aimed at extorting money, alleges Sardinha

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-15
PANAJI- The Goa pradesh Congress committee president, Mr Francisco Sardinha has said that several so-called non-governmental organisations have mushroomed in the state in the recent times and their leaders have been opposing every developmental project only with a view to extort money from those implementing the projects.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday evening, Mr Sardinha said that these so-called NGOs have been raising objections to all the developmental activities only with a view to extort money. Besides, they (NGOs and their leaders) have been spewing venom of discord among the people of the state, he added.
The GPCC president called upon the people of the state not to fall prey to the machinations of these disgruntled people and use their wisdom while trying to associate themselves with any movement in opposition to any developmental activity. He, however, said that there were some genuine NGOs, which were doing excellent work for the welfare of the society.
Referring to the issue raised by various people with regards to the proposed Mopa airport and concerns over continuation of the Dabolim airport, he said the Congress-led government in the state took the decision to give green signal to the new airport project only after the Centre, including the Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Minister, gave assurance that the Dabolim airport would not be closed down after Mopa airport becomes operational.
As regards to insistence by the state PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, that the government sign a memorandum of understanding with the central government over continuation of the Dabolim airport, he observed that there was no such precedence and that MoUs were generally signed between two sovereign states, or between a government and private entrepreneurs or two or more private entities.
He also said the interest of the Dabolim airport was as dear to him and others leaders of Congress from South Goa as to Mr Alemao and that there was no change in their stand. He said the Mopa airport could come up only if Dabolim existed.
“We want Dabolim at any cost and that Mopa may also come up,” he said but refused to comment on Mr Alemao’s recent outburst.
He, however, said that Mr Alemao thinks that he only was protecting the interest of Goa but there were others who were equally concerned over the welfare of the state and protect its interests as well as that of the country.
As regards to Nationalist Congress Party’s grievances, he said that the issues could be sorted out at co-ordination committee meeting adding that he has urged the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat to convene a meeting of the committee.
The GPCC chief stated that the removal of Mr Dayanand Narvekar, former finance minister and a senior party, from the cabinet was unfortunate. Replying to a query on whether he would seek his re-inclusion in the cabinet as the Bombay High Court has stayed proceeding against the former finance minister, he said: “Let us wait and see.”
On the demand of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party for special status to the state for prevention of sale of properties to non-Goans, he said that such a demand was unlikely to be accepted by the central government as it was contrary to the principles of the Constitution.
Mr Sardinha also said the demand, if accepted, would have widespread repercussions and might not stand scrutiny of law, adding that restrictions on sale of property to other citizens cannot be prevented by law. He also expressed doubts whether the BJP demand for special status to Goa with this regard could be legally supported.
The Congress president informed that the issue of fielding party’s candidate for by-elections to Pale constituency would be discussed at the meeting of the GPCC on August 20, which would be attended by the AICC general-secretary in-charge of Goa desk, Mr B K Hariprasad. He said that several delegations from Pale constituency have met him on the issue.
He also said that Mr Hariprasad would be in Goa on August 19 and 20 and participate in observing the birth anniversary of late prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi.
He expressed his best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of the Independence Day to be celebrated on Friday.