VASCO
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and Republican Party of India (A) supremo Ramdas Athawale on Monday appealed to people not to oppose development projects in the State, but at the same time advised the State government to hold discussions with the protesters.
Addressing a news conference in Vasco, Athawale said he had a fruitful interaction with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the need for an Ambedkar Bhavan and hostels for the Scheduled Caste and Tribes.
“We have had a meeting with the CM in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar. We spoke about an Ambedkar Bhavan in Goa and have asked the government to allot us 500 sq mtrs of land in Panaji.”
“We also had a discussion on having two hostels for the Scheduled Caste and Tribes. We also had talks on giving facilities to the Buddhist people by including them in the Scheduled Caste and giving them the benefit of reservations,” said Athawale.
The union minister said since national projects in Goa are being opposed by people, the State government must take steps to hold discussions with the people.
“Development should not be opposed and at certain places, the government has the right to acquire land for development. But at the same time, people must also be paid good compensation and they must also cooperate because huge projects will benefit them and provide large employment.”
“I have even requested the CM to invite industries so that people in Goa can get employment benefits,” said Athawale.
Athawale said the RPI was playing its role to strengthen the BJP.
“We have no plans to contest elections in Goa and we can try to have representatives in small corporations in the State.
