the goan I network
PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party has come out strongly in support of the Goa Against Coal movement which has been campaigning against Goa being made into an import hub for coal to be used in steel production plants mainly in Karnataka.
Speaking to the media, AAP leader Valmiki Naik said while Goa was facing several issues the government was only investing its time and taxpayers' money into infrastructure projects that were not for Goa's benefit but only for the benefit of industrialists in other states.
"While on one hand, Goa is facing several issues of health centres being in ruin, schools having to shut down the government is widening highways, dredging rivers and double tracking railway lines. For whom is the development? Is it for Goa or to import coal through road railways and through the rivers for Adani and Jindal the friends of the BJP," Naik said.
"The BJP stands exposed in its tearing hurry to satisfy the demands of its cronies, without any regard to the environment of Goa or the health of Goans. The Govt appears to be selectively focusing on heavy transportation infrastructure over road, rail, and rivers, while ignoring most other long-pending urgent issues such as garbage, safe roads, public transportation, education and healthcare," Naik added.
Referring to several gram sabhas passing resolutions against river nationalisation and making Goa into a coal import hub, Naik appealed to the government to "listen to the voices and not spend taxpayers money on development that we do not want."
Adding his bit, State party convenor Elvis Gomes said that "the kind of volumes that are being sought to be brought into Goa will be devastating."
"The silence of the opposition party is also deafening. If the Congress MLAs will do their their jobs only if in power and not if in opposition, then they should return their salaries and perks and resign from their posts," Elvis said.
"Even the existing handling place right now cannot keep the pollution under check. So in the future you can imagine how it will be. Such kind of activities will be harmful to Goa not just in Vasco but everywhere and affect the livelihoods of people anywhere," Gomes said.
