----------------
LOCALS VS AUTHORITIES
* Locals in attendance ask why they were kept in the dark for six months
* The government failed to communicate with them since December, they say
* Allegations of not taking the local panchayat into confidence as well
* Dy Collector, Mamlatdar unaware about this Expo, says Luizinho Faleiro
* Some other locals questioned as to whether an EIA was undertaken
* Faleiro and Fr Eremito demand that the Expo be shifted out of Goa
------------------
MARGAO: The discussion for explaining the advantages and other final details of the 'Defence Expo' held by the authorities on Thursday, 25 February at the South Goa Collectorate, Margao, failed to have the desired outcome.
At the conclusion of the meet with agitators, South Goa Collector Dr Sachin Shinde claimed the dialogue process will be “kept open”. On the other hand, the Spokesperson of 'Vorixtt Porjecho Avaz', Freddy Fernandes, categorically ruled out allowing Defence Expo in Quitol-Betul.
Simultaneously, the meet of the authorities with captains of industry, hoteliers and other businessmen, which was held after the conclusion of as a similar meet with the agitators, were in favour of the Defence Expo in Goa, claiming the same would have “tremendous potential” for this State.
The locals in attendance at this meet posed several questions at the discussions table, quizzing the authorities as to why they kept them in the dark for six months about Defence Expo.
In the presence of GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro and Kepem MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, GFDO Convenor Fr Eermito Rebello, Fr Maverick Fernandes, and other social activists, locals explained the background of the controversy, stating that the government has failed to communicate with them since December. They said the local panchayat was not taken into confidence as well.
Expressing his apprehensions, Faleiro said the State government has granted permission for the Defence Expo only subject to the condition that the State will be a permanent venue for this Expo. Faleiro said he met the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar who were unaware about this Expo. The local sarpanch was also not aware about the Expo, said Faleiro.
Some other locals questioned as to whether an EIA was undertaken, and the secrecy with which the Expo was planned.
The locals then told the authorities to maintain status-quo over the Expo until project report in this regard were presented to them.
Towards the end, Faleiro and Fr Eremito demanded that the Expo be shifted out of Goa.
Later, speaking to mediapersons, Spokesperson of 'Vorixtt Porjecho Avaz', Freddy Fernandes, re-iterated their stand that they do not want the Defence Expo in Goa. “We are not ready to permit the Defence Expo under any condition,” Fernandes remarked.
