PERNEM
Accusing the government of failing to take locals of Pernem into confidence before implementing the PDA for the proposed Mopa airport area, the Bahujan United Association (BUA) on Thursday burnt copies of the bill passed in the assembly to set up the Mopa PDA.
BUA President Sanjay Barde, BUA convenor Deepesh Naik, Pernem Block Congress President Umesh Talavnekar, North Goa Congress General Secretary Subhash Kerkar, former Arambol sarpanch Daniel D’Souza, MGP leader Amrut Agarwadekar and others were present on the occasion.
Speaking to reporters, BUA convenor Deepak Naik accused the government of trying to snatch the livelihood of farmers by setting up the Mopa PDA. “When the Congress government framed RP 2021, the BJP vehemently opposed it, but when the BJP-led government came to power, it has decided to take it forward instead of scrapping it,” he added.
Talavnekar claimed that the rights of six panchayats at the proposed Mopa airport area had been snatched by implementing the PDA in the region. “Local MLA and Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar has set up the Mopa PDA without taking all six panchayats into confidence.”
“The present government is not working in the interest of the Bahujan community. The government is working according to the wishes of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar,” alleged Talavnekar.
