PANAJI
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee congratulated the people of Shel-Melauli and all Goans who supported them after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced that the proposed IIT project in the village would be relocated.
Goa Congress leader Girish Chodankar said, “Finally, insensitive CM Sawant came to his senses, only when the Health Minister realised that the wrath of the people was threatening his political career and demanded to scrap the proposed IIT. The people have aced it with great unity to protect the land. The decision was taken only to save their political careers.”
Chodankar insisted that the true test of respecting public sentiments lies in making the right decision regarding the double-tracking of the railway line, four-laning of the National Highway and laying of power transmission lines through the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary. “These projects are not confined to only a particular area but affect the lifeline of every Goan. CM should not delay the announcement scrapping these three projects,” Chodankar said.
Chodankar also demanded that the cases filed against protestors at Shel-Melauli be withdrawn immediately.
Meanwhile, Chodankar has temporarily called off the ‘Tiranga Satyagraha’. “One can’t trust this government and hence we are not cancelling the satyagraha. If the government fails to officially scrap the project and to withdraw cases within a month then we will take steps in the interest of people,” Chodankar warned.
