PANAJI: Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his assurance to grant special status for Goa and permit the resumption of mining in Goa, Congress on Thursday said that Modi must explain why both the promises remain unmet.
The party said that Modi should refrain from making fresh assurances if BJP cannot address the present concerns of the state, particularly the status of the Coastal Zone Management Plan, coal transportation, the Major Ports Bill, unemployment and the three projects in Mollem.
The party’s demand comes a day ahead of the planned interaction between the Prime Minister and Goan officials. Modi will interact with the cabinet members, health department officials and other elected representatives on Saturday through video conference to congratulate Goa for the inoculation of the eligible population with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Goa’s mining was closed in 2012 and till today remains closed. BJP is in the Centre and in Goa. The Prime Minister must tell the state what is happening otherwise people will think that the Prime Minister really lies,” state Congress president Girish Chodankar said.
Congress also demanded that Modi scrap the three linear projects at Mollem, the Nauxim Marina, coal transportation and ensure that feedback at the village level is adopted while finalising the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan.
“Goans are upset today. There is unemployment, Goa’s financial debt has hit a high, small businessmen are struggling to survive. The Prime Minister should speak about these issues,” Chodankar said.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress House, Chodankar came down heavily on the policies of the BJP government. “Most of the panchayats have outright rejected the various proposals and projects of the government, which will cause harm to the identity of Goa and destroy the environment, forest, wildlife and the coastal life of the state,” Chodankar said.
Congress has also demanded that the Prime Minister make his stand clear regarding the Mhadei water dispute and where Karnataka has diverted the water. Chodankar also said that Modi should speak and apologise for the deaths that occurred in Goa due to Covid-19 and shortage of oxygen.
