MARGAO
The battle against the three linear projects isn’t over yet even as the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is bracing up to assume office early next week.
Goemkar “ Ek Pavl Ekcharachem, an organization of activists and Civil Society waging a sustained battle on issues plaguing the State, took its first post-election step on Tuesday in a bid to get the newly-elected MLAs to support the popular causes of Goan and oppose ill-conceived projects, including the three linear projects.
A delegation of activists on Tuesday called on Congress leader Digambar Kamat and Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai at their respective offices at Margao and Fatorda and submitted memorandums, congratulating them on their re-election and making a fervent plea to raise all the controversial issues in the Goa Legislative Assembly to protect the identity of Goa.
Sources said the delegation also urged both Kamat and Sardesai to take the initiative to get all the Opposition together to put up a united front within the Assembly and outside to protect the interests of the State. Sources pointed out that the delegation expects the Opposition to take up the issues once they appoint the Leader of Opposition.
“We look upon you to support the popular cause of Goans opposing three linear projects namely, double tracking of South Western Railways, Tamnar power transmission line through protected area, Expansion of National Highway and also jurisdiction of Mormugao port authority, CZMP plan and Mhadei river protection”, the memorandum added.
The organization has hoped it will receive all cooperation from the newly-elected MLAs for the fight to protect Goa and Goans interest
Led by Vikas Bhagat (convener), Orville Dourado Rodrigues (secretary) and John Coutinho (Treasurer), the delegation also comprised of Goencho Ekvott Convenor Creson Antao, Olencio Simoes, Freddy Travasso and others.
Sources said the delegation will also call on both ruling and Opposition MLAs, besides Independent MLAs, including Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, likely to be inducted in the BJP-led government, since he was in the forefront of many an agitation witnessed in the State over the years.
“The BJP is expected to form the government, but we should not forget that many of the Opposition candidates have lost the just concluded election by a small margin that too through division of votes.
This only goes to show that people of Goa by and large are opposed to the controversial projects”, Creson told The Goan.
He said the delegation have received positive response from Congress Kamat and Sardesai, adding that the Goemkar “ Ek Pavl Ekcharachem will call on other MLAs as well to take up the issues and save Goa from destruction.
