Digambar says letter written in 2009 to Centre makes Cong coal intent clear

MARGAO 
Asserting the government in power must show guts to change its own decisions and respect people’s sentiments, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has said there’s no point in pointing fingers at others when the party in power has all the avenues available to put things in order to protect the identity of Goa.

He said the Congress party has always respected public sentiments and always taken pro-active steps to protect the identity of Goa.

He said his letter dated November 9, 2009, written by him as then Chief Minister to then Union Minister for Environment & Forest Jairam Ramesh makes Congress party’s stand crystal clear on the coal issue in Goa.

“I once again reiterate my demand that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must immediately release white papers on Mhadei, coal handling and transportation, three linear projects passing through wildlife sanctuaries, covid pandemic and finances of Goa. I reiterate my demand that the Government must call for a full-fledged Assembly Session to discuss on all the core issues which are now facing opposition from across the State. Let people know the truth with facts and figures,” he said.

Kamat said the Congress Government has always respected the sentiments of the Goans and never tried to suppress their voice. “Our then CM Pratapsingh Rane scrapped the Regional Plan and SEZs during my tenure. I also respected the parents’ sentiments on Medium of Instruction issue,” he said.

Keeping in mind the long-term vision for all-round development of the State, Kamat said his government had constituted the Goa Golden Jubilee Committee under the chairmanship of noted scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar. 

“The committee consisting of experts from various fields prepared Goa Vision-2035 document. Unfortunately, the BJP Government which came to power in 2012 shelved the report. Goenche Daiz scheme initiated by me to help the small-time traditional occupations like khajekars, kakonkars, fulkars, gold artisans, renders, poders, etc was also shelved by the Government,” he added.

“The BJP is in power at the Centre as well as the State. Our then PM Dr Manmohan Singh agreed to Goa’s request and constituted Mhadei Water Tribunal. Today, the Prime Minister is not ready to meet an all-party delegation from Goa. This is unfortunate,” he added.