It is obvious to all the modus operandi of the Goa Government and how either by acquiring vast tracts of lands or giving away what is not theirs they have forever sought to change the landscape of Goa, with their vested interests playing up to destroy Goa. Of course they very smartly use this term that they've just discovered "Development" to justify all their wicked schemes up their sleeves which actually are anti-people. Whether it's acquiring land in Cutbona Velim or other parts of Goa for some con-schemes, pandering to the Mining Industry or various con-schemes that Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane has in mind for the Israeli Hospital or Mauvin Godinho asking for 100,000 square metres of land in his Cortalim Constituency to treat garbage from 6 villages, all these politicians work over-time to dispose this scarce and precious land that we have in Goa.
The destruction of Goa's agricultural lands, forest tracks, mangroves, hills, estuaries and coastal lands continues unabated with the Goa Government heaping irrevocable and permanent damage to further their selfish interests. Matanhy Saldanha's earnest appeal to the Government of Goa echoes the sentiments of all Goan people who are shocked at the damage and destruction unleashed on Goa thanks to the insatiable greed of those in power working in tandem with destructive forces. This is anti-people and anti-developmental. Matanhy Saldanha's article appeared in the Herald. Read on *****************************************
Protect and Preserve Our Land
Goa must not give land to central government agencies being privatised, says MATANHY SALDHANA
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat should take immediate steps to prevent large tracts of land from being transferred to private corporations in future, whereby neither the government nor the people of Goa will benefit in any way, even as some individuals with vested interests will end up having the last laugh.
In the name of national interest and with the best intentions of the state at heart and mind, the Government of Goa had handed over land to central government agencies like the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC). The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), on the other hand, took over land that was occupied by the erstwhile colonial Portuguese regime.
In the case of MPT, instead of working in consonance with the state government in the best interest of Goans and the country, it has been functioning as a state within a state, paying scant regard to the laws and rules of this state. Believe it or not, the MPT does not even bother to take the mandatory permissions and licenses from the state authorities when it has to put up constructions. Over and above this, it has the sheer audacity to object to acquisition of land at Velsao for traditional fishermen, on the grounds that the area concerned comes within what they claim is their ‘jurisdiction’. The strange thing is that in fact, the government is fully seized of this matter. It has even been debated at length ad nauseam in the august Legislative Assembly.
However, what is of much greater significance here is the fact that the MPT is on its way to be corporatised, as has already been done with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai. If this happens, then the huge tracts of land already in MPT’s possession will pass on to a private corporation thereby denying Goans and even the state government of any control over it.
Worse, the enormous tracts of land and sea area that the MPT claims as its ‘jurisdiction’ will now become the fief of the private corporate entity. Therefore, the state government needs to act immediately to ensure that the MPT retains only as much land as is required for its operations. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) also has a large tract of land in its possession near Betul, which was apparently given to it on lease by the state government. But, under the disinvestment policy of the Government of India, the ONGC is slowly being turned into a private entity. In such a situation, the large tracts of land that were given to the Government of India undertaking will end up being in the possession of a private corporation, which once again is not in the interest of Goa and Goans.
The Navy, too, continues to be on an acquisition spree. The State government is always under pressure to give in to their demand, in the name of national interest. However, when the Navy keeps poking spokes in any activity aimed at the State’s benefit, like the expansion of the Dabolim airport (it is pertinent to note that Dabolim was not a military facility but a civilian airport initially), it is time for the government to begin some hard bargaining with the Navy too, in the interest of its citizens.
The adamant attitude of the Navy is visible to the naked eye at Dabolim already, where the divider along the four lane highway has had to be reduced significantly, as the Naval authorities would not permit the demolition of a compound wall of a grocery store. The Navy apparently has now cast its eyes upon the two islands of Mormugao and wants more land at Bimbvel beach. The state government would do well not to bow down to this demand of the Navy, as these islands can well be developed as a base for the offshore casinos that bring in revenue to the state’s coffers. Besides, the Government of Goa has already given the Anjediv Island to the Navy, without asking for any compensation.
All said and done, Goa is a small state (in fact, it is the country’s smallest state in terms of area). Given our size and the rate at which our population is increasing, we cannot afford to take up a philanthropic attitude in dishing out land to anybody and everybody who seeks it. Therefore, I earnestly the Chief Minister that he should go through any request for land with a fine-tooth comb and, at the same time if possible, review earlier decisions to ensure that only the quantum of required land is retained by these central government agencies.
Permit me to cite the example of Zuari Industries. In the name of industrialisation, they were given large tracts of land in the late ’60s and early ’70s. In fact, they have so much excess land that they have now set up an engineering college campus by using the same land that was given to them to set up their industrial plant. If the same land was to be provided for the engineering college now, the state would have earned some significant revenue. Strangely, no seats are reserved for Goan students in this prestigious college. The obvious question that comes up when one sees the situation is; what benefit do Goa and Goans get from such ventures?
It is in the light of all the above cases that I make this humble request to the Chief Minister, the other Ministers and the MLAs of all parties in the Legislative Assembly. Let us not repeat the mistakes made by us earlier; rather, let us try to rectify them if we can. And, in the future, let us instead be not only judicious but even miserly, while giving our land to any agency.
(The author is a social activist and a former Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa)
August 17, 2010
FOOLISH DIGAMBAR KAMAT CM OF GOA.
Our CM has expressed that "If we had to ask for a special status, Pandit Nehru would have given special status for the State of Goa.
Unfortunately,we........" by reading his statement i felt like laughing and laughing. Our CM is a seasonal politician and he did not know that the then CM who also loved Goa very much according to some Goan settlers, was very much busy merging Goa or better we say offering Goa to Maharashtra? Any Goan will remember this very well and look at Digambar how he is fooling the People of Goa saying "... Unfortunately, we did not think on those lines and that's why we are facing lots of problem"..
"At that time probably if Goans have had to put up certain demands then, the prime minister would have agreed to it. But we failed to put it up before him"
To whom he is fooling?, these very Politicians, not only of MGP who are presently enjoying the saved Goa Status, but even the very Congress who ruled Goa after the Traitor Bandodkar, despite his loss in the bargain through Opinion Poll still garlanding this Traitor like god. I wish the CM have never opened his mouth in this regard. After the Opinion Poll Goans fully supported Congress to rule over Goa and what did Congress give to Goa and Goans? Goans had to shed blood and sacrifice innocent lives to gain the Statehood and Konkani as its Offical language. His Congress Government then and after did nothing good for Goans.
Look at the present state of Goa, Mr. CM if you have eyes and ears to hear try to understand the Cry of Goans now! What do they want, how do Goans want their Goa to be? It is right in front of your eyes and right in your hand, simply do not invoke Nehru and blame somebody else of those times. See what good you can do right now so that Goan will remember you having saved Goa from going into disaster or you will be remembered like the Traitor Bandodkar not of MGP but of Congress. Dear CM if there is any good sense left in your brains think over this: "If there is anything good I can ever do let me do it now as I know not that I shall ever get such an opportunity again". And who knows what might be tomorrow for us!! Cheers.
Elvino Rodrigues,
Navelim.
Unfortunately,we........" by reading his statement i felt like laughing and laughing. Our CM is a seasonal politician and he did not know that the then CM who also loved Goa very much according to some Goan settlers, was very much busy merging Goa or better we say offering Goa to Maharashtra? Any Goan will remember this very well and look at Digambar how he is fooling the People of Goa saying "... Unfortunately, we did not think on those lines and that's why we are facing lots of problem"..
"At that time probably if Goans have had to put up certain demands then, the prime minister would have agreed to it. But we failed to put it up before him"
To whom he is fooling?, these very Politicians, not only of MGP who are presently enjoying the saved Goa Status, but even the very Congress who ruled Goa after the Traitor Bandodkar, despite his loss in the bargain through Opinion Poll still garlanding this Traitor like god. I wish the CM have never opened his mouth in this regard. After the Opinion Poll Goans fully supported Congress to rule over Goa and what did Congress give to Goa and Goans? Goans had to shed blood and sacrifice innocent lives to gain the Statehood and Konkani as its Offical language. His Congress Government then and after did nothing good for Goans.
Look at the present state of Goa, Mr. CM if you have eyes and ears to hear try to understand the Cry of Goans now! What do they want, how do Goans want their Goa to be? It is right in front of your eyes and right in your hand, simply do not invoke Nehru and blame somebody else of those times. See what good you can do right now so that Goan will remember you having saved Goa from going into disaster or you will be remembered like the Traitor Bandodkar not of MGP but of Congress. Dear CM if there is any good sense left in your brains think over this: "If there is anything good I can ever do let me do it now as I know not that I shall ever get such an opportunity again". And who knows what might be tomorrow for us!! Cheers.
Elvino Rodrigues,
Navelim.
OH GOAN KIFF MEMBERS - UNITE WITH IFF & SHOW YOU ARE REAL GOANS.
Dear Friends,
The laundry inside KIFF is dirty from the very beginning and never been washed. The dirt has turned into a virus and remains among the few of the old pillars of KIFF.
If you all are following the on going, “CommonWealth Games” issue, it is no difference as to what is happening here in between KIFF and IFF-K. Designations held in the various sports in India from the Sports Ministry to Federations and Associations are held by the same individuals for 10 yrs and above. Which gives no chance given to fresh or young talent to take over? In KIFF, it is the same the constitution was written back in the 80’s and remains unchanged.
Why was IFF-K born? This is what our community does not want to understand. If seven Clubs are suspended for a year, where do the 140 – 155 players who are registered go? What is the fault of these players? So IFF-K was born and it did not disturb KIFF activities. In addition, is there a harm to have another Federation? Soccer is a sport that has no boundaries.
I am not writing to point out any individual or clubs or organization, we all have to work together as one community. Instead of finding faults or suspension of individuals or clubs will take us nowhere. Pro action and positive thinking is how today’s world move. By banning, suspending, or asking for apologies is only a method of saying “I Won” or “You were wrong”
I request all who are soccer lovers to join in and request for a unity / love and friendship in soccer among Indians in Kuwait. What a day to start today being our countries Independence Day (15th August). Let us also pray to our Blessed Mother whose Feast we celebrate today(15th August). Let invoke her to guide all those who are involved so that we bury the past no matter who was wrong or right. Let the language of soccer spread the meaning it stands for “Love and Friendship”
Wishing you all and your dear one A Happy Feast of Assumption and A Happy Independence Day….Jai Hind and God bless.
Christopher Fernandes.
The laundry inside KIFF is dirty from the very beginning and never been washed. The dirt has turned into a virus and remains among the few of the old pillars of KIFF.
If you all are following the on going, “CommonWealth Games” issue, it is no difference as to what is happening here in between KIFF and IFF-K. Designations held in the various sports in India from the Sports Ministry to Federations and Associations are held by the same individuals for 10 yrs and above. Which gives no chance given to fresh or young talent to take over? In KIFF, it is the same the constitution was written back in the 80’s and remains unchanged.
Why was IFF-K born? This is what our community does not want to understand. If seven Clubs are suspended for a year, where do the 140 – 155 players who are registered go? What is the fault of these players? So IFF-K was born and it did not disturb KIFF activities. In addition, is there a harm to have another Federation? Soccer is a sport that has no boundaries.
I am not writing to point out any individual or clubs or organization, we all have to work together as one community. Instead of finding faults or suspension of individuals or clubs will take us nowhere. Pro action and positive thinking is how today’s world move. By banning, suspending, or asking for apologies is only a method of saying “I Won” or “You were wrong”
I request all who are soccer lovers to join in and request for a unity / love and friendship in soccer among Indians in Kuwait. What a day to start today being our countries Independence Day (15th August). Let us also pray to our Blessed Mother whose Feast we celebrate today(15th August). Let invoke her to guide all those who are involved so that we bury the past no matter who was wrong or right. Let the language of soccer spread the meaning it stands for “Love and Friendship”
Wishing you all and your dear one A Happy Feast of Assumption and A Happy Independence Day….Jai Hind and God bless.
Christopher Fernandes.
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