Goemkarpon desk
MARGAO: “It is the Congress which said “No” to the nationalization of rivers in Goa. But, the BJP Government said “Yes” to it. Insult to the River Navigation Minister Subhash Phaldessai is a reflection of Major Port Act of the BJP Government. The draft Jetty Policy is a step towards disaster,” stated Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
He was reacting to the statement made by the River Navigation Minister Subhash Phaldessai, wherein the Minister had claimed that he was not taken into confidence by the Mormugao Port Authority and New Mangalore Port Authority regarding the inauguration of the Solar Boat built by the Goa Government at the cost of Rs. 3.97 crores.
The act of the Port Authorities makes it loud and clear that Goa Government has lost complete control of the Rivers of Goa and the land coming under the jurisdiction of Port Authorities. It is the BJP Government in 2015, headed by then Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, which overruled the denial of the then Congress Government in 2011, headed by then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, to Nationalize Rivers in Goa. BJP Government at the Center imposed the Major Port Act on Goa against the people’s strong opposition.
“The results of both these anti-Goa decisions are now visible. Now, they have insulted the Minister; tomorrow, they will ignore the people,” pointed Yuri Alemao.
He said the Congress Party raised timely alarms against the Anti-Goa policies of the BJP Government.
“We launched various agitations and staged protests to oppose the Major Ports Act in the Assembly and outside. Unfortunately, the successive BJP governments have bulldozed the sentiments of the people of Goa. If the Goans don’t rise now, we will face disaster very soon,” warned Yuri Alemao.
He said the Draft Jetty Policy – 2022 of Tourism Department is also a step towards the disaster of Goa. “This policy is part of the BJP Government’s conspiracy to hand over our beautiful Goa to the Crony Club of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Government must listen to the emotions and sentiments of the people. The NGOs and Activists have struggled to protect Goa, and it is our duty to support them to save Goa,” stated Yuri Alemao.
