CURCHOREM: They may have differences of opinion on other political issues, but some Congress and a group of independent legislators on Wednesday joined hands to extend their support to residents of Ambdai-Sanguem, who are protesting against a proposed liquor factory in the area.
Protesting against the felling of coconut trees to make way for the factory, the group of legislators warned that Goans would be forced to launch a 'Civil Disobedience' movement, if the government failed to withdraw the amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, classifying coconut as a palm.
On Wednesday afternoon, Congress MLAs comprising former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Quepem MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco along with the independent MLAs Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim), Naresh Sawal (Bicholim) and Vijay Sardesai (Fatorda), former Pernem MLA Babu Azgaonkar and Durgadas Kamat of Generation Next met with about 300 Ambdai locals at the proposed site of a liquor factory.
Speaking to reporters, Kamat said he had personally visited Ambdai village in 2009.
“After learning that there was no road, the Congress government under my leadership had constructed a road in the village and this road was not meant to facilitate to construct any factory,” stated Kamat.
“A liquor factory should not be set up in Ambdai village against the wishes of the villagers. If government wants, then it should be set up in an industrial zone,” he said.
“Cutting of coconut trees, which are auspicious to the Goans, is a bad exercise. We are demanding a roll back on the amendment. We had also boycotted the assembly session to show our opposition,” added Kamat.
Sardessai also criticised the BJP government and its governance. “The way BJP is operating in Goa looks like it is out to sell Goa to outsiders,” said Sardessai, while requesting the locals to teach the BJP a lesson in the forthcoming assembly election.
“If the government does not roll back the amendment, there is a need to launch the 'Civil Disobedience' by the people of Goa by not paying electricity and water bills, and not participating in public affairs,” he said.
Sardessai further said his next target would be Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar, whom he termed as “deforestation minister”.
Sardessai said he along with other MLAs would meet the people of Pernem to mobilise their support against the BJP government.
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Sanguem MLA
shiftsblame
on councillor
CURCHOREM: Hitting back at allegations that he has been pushing for the proposed liquor factory in Ambdai-Sanguem, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai has, instead, accused local ward councillor Prakash Gaonkar for taking initiatives to set up the project.
“Local Ward Councillor Prakash Gaonkar is responsible for bringing the project. A few months ago, Gaonkar along with 70 villagers came to me and at that time, they were more than willing to have the project in the area,” claimed Phaldessai.
Commenting on the felling of coconut trees, the MLA added: “The coconut trees felled at the site were chopped by councillor Gaonkar. I have never did visited the site.”
“I also have evidence to show that Prakash and his relative, Savlo Gaonkar, had done the Bhumipujan of this project. Prakash had, in fact, introduced me to the land owner.”
“Now, if people have spoken and have persuaded the land owner not to set up the liquor factory at the site, then the problem is solved.”
“The involvement of the MLA does not arise as I am not concerned or related with this project. I have never gone to the locals to seek their support to this project. If people want to oppose the project, let them go ahead. I do not stand to gain or lose from this project,” Phaldessai told The Goan.
Earlier while speaking to The Goan last month, Prakash Gaonkar had denied the allegations of the Sanguem MLA that he was supporting the project at Ambdai. The councillor has insisted that they have no objection if the proposed factory is shifted to an industrial area at Xelvona.
