Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s triumph at Mopa was morethan luck an exercise in careful planning and superb planning stealth
Beat the LAR&R Bill 2011
The hurry of Goa Government to invoke Section 5A, 6, 7, 9and 10 in quick succession roots from the fact that the new Land Acquisitionand Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 may delay the Mopa acquisiitonas it mandates at least 80% of the land losers to give their consent for land acquisition
Ear to the ground
Unlike DIgambar Kamat’s Government, Parrikar’s took one stepat a time and let the footfalls subside. The litigation against the acquisitioncame out in July 2012 but it was only in October 2012 that Section 5A proceedingswere notified after the Government was clear that nobody was protesting
Let the Rains go
Despite being cleared by the Courts, Parrikar’s Governmentavoided the monsoons for further notification knowing very well that the paddyfields on Mopa plateau will weaken their case. Also the numerous springsflowing down the plateau would get the environmentalists baying for theirblood.
Let the parties begin
The Section 5A proceedings ended during IFFI and in the dinany unfriendly voice of protest against Mopa would have gone unnoticed
Make the mandarins happy
Section 6 was notified days before Civil Aviation top brasswas ferried into Goa on a quick trip which was in a break from traditionunannounced by Department of Information and Protocol.
