MARGAO
Expressing his concern over the reports of cancellation of charter flights to Goa, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Wednesday urged the government to take up with the Centre the issue of cancellation of charter flights.
He also demanded that the government should stop handing out assurances on the resumption of mining and start the operation without any further delay.
Addressing the media in the presence of South Goa district Congress president Savio D’Silva, the MP pointed out that since Goa is dependent on Tourism after the closure of mining in the State, the government should study why the charter flights to Goa are being cancelled and to take up the issue with the centre on priority.
“The government should also involve the MPs while taking up the issue with the Centre,” he said.
Questioning the government’s controversial Jetty policy that is sought to be imposed on the people, Sardinha demanded that the people should be taken into confidence.
Reiterating his opposition to the IIT project at Sanguem, Sardinha said the MLA and even the MP may support the project, but the project cannot be pushed down the throats of the people. “When huge land is being acquired for the IIT project, the government should exercise concern. And, the project should not be considered at all if there is no reservation for Goan students in the project,” he said.
Referring to his recent visit to Betul village, which has been adopted by him under the MP scheme, Sardinha said the government has acquired thousands of square metres in the village, but lamented there’s no land available for the people to meet their basic infrastructure requirements.
He has demanded that the government spare a minimum of 25,000 square metres of the acquired IDC land for the villagers to have a health centre and playground.
