The Goa government appears bracing up to host DefExpo at the Naqueri-Betul plateau in 2018 in South Goa, but neither the local Betul panchayat nor the local Quepem MLA and leader of the Opposition, Babu Kavlekar are aware of the government's plan this time round.
MARGAO
Two years ago, the DefExpo had evoked opposition from the local residents of Cananguinim, more due to misconceptions and confusion as the Laxmikant Parsekar government had kept away the village panchayat body and the villagers over the event.
When The Goan contacted Betul-Naqueri Sarpanch Delsi Barbosa to shed light on the government's plan to hold the DefExpo on the Naqueri plateau, he said he has no idea of the government's plan, saying the panchayat has till date not received any correspondence from the State government or the Centre. "I have no idea about the government. I and the panchayat members have been only reading in the media about the DefExpo being planned at Betul-Naqueri plateau," Delsi said.
The Sarpanch, however, hastened to add that he has no information whether the government will take the panchayat in particular or the villagers in general into confidence on the proposed DefExpo.
Replying to a question, the Sarpanch said the villagers had opposed the DefExpo primarily because they were apprehensive that the Defence will hold the aero show and the acquired land will be finally handed over to the Defence forces. Leader of the Opposition, Babu Kavlekar, when contacted, told The Goan that he has no idea on the proposed DefExpo at the Naqueri-Betul plateau, which falls in his Quepem constituency.
Babu recalled that opposition to the DefExpo two years ago had come primarily because of confusion in the minds of the villagers that an aero show will be hosted at Betul and that the acquired land will be taken over by the Defence forces. "Let the government come out clear on the matter to avoid any confusion and doubts in the minds of the villagers," Babu added.
