SALIGAO
National convenor of Outlook for Social Change (OSC) A K Tripathi said the proposed Mopa airport will cause irreparable harm to the State s ecology and has demanded a CBI probe into the matter.“This needless development is nothing but a `5,500 crore scam which is being perpetuated to serve private interest under the garb of Mopa airport,” stated Tripathi, while addressing media persons at Porvorim.Nuvem MLA and former minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco and some residents affected by the proposed Mopa airport were also present at the news conference.“The Central Bureau of Investigation should step in immediately and conduct enquiry into this land scam,” said Tripathi.Tripathi further said the State government should submit a sworn affidavit to the people of Goa that proposed Mopa airport will have zero environmental impact, will come within envisaged cost of `3,000 crore, will be ready for operations within 3 years, will generate a minimum of 3,000 new skilled jobs for the people of Goa and will not cause any impact on wildlife and natural heritage of adjoining areas of Maharashtra. “If the government cannot furnish the affidavit, it should scrap the project,” he said.The OSC has urged Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to make Mopa region a model project for Make in Goa on the lines of national initiative Make in India .Tripathi said Mopa locals can do wonders if the government supports them with cottage industries by offering soft loan to the tune of `100 crore. “Give Mopa residents their land and empower them under the start-up India scheme,” suggested Tripathi.
