Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday released its 95-point comprehensive manifesto, eerily resonating the stand of the Congress party on the two issues of Medium of Instruction (MoI) and Mopa airport, while also hinting at nationalisation of the mining sector in Goa.
AAP has promised continuation of the existing grants to schools and promotion of local languages, while also assuring the constitution of an expert committee comprising eminent educationists to review the contentions.
Continuation of Dabolim airport for civilian traffic through assistance for its upgradation and expansion has also been assured by the party, which will contest its first Assembly polls on February 4.
Speaking at Panaji, AAP’s chief ministerial candidate and its Cuncolim candidate, Elvis Gomes stated, “We will investigate the Mopa project as a major land grab scam. More than 50 lakh sq mts of land around the airport has been marked for speculative land deals by politicians and we will investigate this acquisition of 84 lakh sq mts of land when the airport itself needs only 30 lakh sq mts. Casinos and gaming zones has been proposed on the remainder.”
AAP manifesto further declares that its government will send corrupt miners to jail and recover Rs 36,000 crore from the mining mafia.
“Goa State Mineral Development Corporation will be created to undertake world-class, sustainable mining,” the manifesto states, adding that relief of Rs 400 crore will be offered to the mining dependent and affected with immediate relief to truck drivers.
Sought for his comments on this, Gomes told The Goan, “Taking over of the sector by the government has been advocated by people and movements such as the Goenchi Maati Movement through Goa Dialogues.”
When asked if AAP will consider nationalising the mining sector in Goa, he said, “We believe it is the best thing to happen. We have agreed to it by and large and in-principle. Procedural feasibility is also being verified. Ore belongs to the people.”
Meanwhile, the manifesto also promises the Delhi model of electricity and water tariffs whereby electricity rates will be reduced by 50 per cent and water will be free for all households up to 20,000 along with setting up of 400 vaddo clinics along the lines of Delhi’s mohalla clinics.
Housing for all has also been listed as a poll promise, especially for the weaker sections. “Renting will be made easy and due protection will be provided for both house owners and tenants,” reads the manifesto, which also promises affordable loans for maintenance of old Goan houses.
Interestingly, setting up of WiFi across the State thereby making Goa a free WiFi zone features prominently in the manifesto. A host of other assurances have also been listed under the categories of women and senior citizen, health, youth, livelihood, social welfare and social justice.
