MARGAO
Demanding revocation of the anti-farmer, anti-people and pro-corporate farm laws passed by the Centre, Goyant Kollso Naka and other farmer groups on Tuesday sent a signal loud and clear to the Goa government as well to scrap the ill-conceived projects such as coal hub, marinas, IITs and listen to the voice of the people.
Activist Abhijit Prabhudesai warned that the time is running out for the government to decide on the controversial projects, saying youth and the children are leaving their studies and joining the ongoing movement in large numbers to protect Goa from destruction.
Armed with banners and placards, several organizations and individuals descended at the Margao Municipal garden to express their solidarity with the striking farmers demanding the withdrawal of the farm laws passed by the Parliament this year.
Abhijit Prabhudesai appealed to the government to listen to the voice of the people of Goa and scrap projects, including mega housing projects, five-star hotels, rampant land conversions, besides the coal hub, marina, IIT project.
Adv John Fernandes said the three farm laws passed by the Union government are meant for the benefit of the corporates. “If the laws were intended to benefit the farmers, the government would have taken the farming community into confidence. There was no discussion on the subject in Parliament and the government bulldozed its way just to please their corporate friends”, he said.
Saying that the Swaminathan Committee recommendations have been all thrown to the winds, John said the government should immediately withdraw the three laws and take the stakeholders into confidence before bringing new Bills.
Activist Anthony D’Silva took a dig at the ruling government for blaming Pakistan for all the ills plaguing the country. “When lakhs of farmers are on the roads, the last thing one had expected from the government to open a dialogue. But, the government has struck a hard stand saying it will take care of the agitations. Such rude posturing by the government does not benefit the country, farmers and democracy”, Anthony said.
The participants were later served a traditional sweet dish specially prepared by the farmers.
