MARGAO
Terming the uprising against coal and coal transportation as “genuine”, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday asserted that no project should be thrust down on the throats of the people of Goa, adding that he would convey to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that whatever is not in the interest of Goans should be either slowed down or stopped.
The Waste Management Minister descended at Dramapur in Salcete for a private function but left before conveying a strong message to the Chief Minister, reminding that MLAs have been elected to the Legislative Assembly to raise the voice of the people and nothing else.
Exuding confidence that 100 per cent result come in the interest of the people on issues such as coal and track doubling, Lobo said: “On double-tracking and coal, we are discussing the issue with the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister has promised to reduce coal handling by 50 per cent. It has to be done,” he said, demanding to know why coal is needed in Goa.
Saying that coal is not in the interest of the state and its people, Lobo pointed out that one company has obtained a stay from the court to stop the payment of cess to the government. “If the people of Goa do not want any project, we should not do. We should not harass our people by giving permissions, giving rise to agitations and lathi-charge. We should all know that we are the MLAs, Ministers, Chief Minster because of the people. If people don’t want any project, we should not move ahead,” he stated.
Terming the coal uprising as genuine, Lobo said so many people in the port town of Vasco and Mormugao have been affected by chest diseases. “The CM has promised to reduce coal, we have to show to the people that it is done. What has happened all these years should not be done,” he added.
Saying he would seek an appointment with the CM to discuss Melauli as well as coal issues, the Waste Management Minister said he would tell Sawant that whatever is not in the interest of the people should be slowed down or stopped.
Speaking on the Melauli IIT agitation, Lobo recalled how former Chief Minister, late Manohar Parrikar used to take decisions in the interest of the people. “We are humans, we make mistakes, but we have to make corrections,” he said.
Claiming that he had told the Chief Minister that the government should do what is required in the interest of the people, Lobo said the state need IIT, but it can be set up outside Melaulim where there is government land, such as SEZ land. And, he opposed giving 10 lakh square metres of land for the IIT, saying the government should provide only two lakh square metres land for the project.
