# If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others #
##########################################################################
Philip Thomas Oct 14 22:36:02 2004
(1) < I dont know why I get the feelng that both sides have little or no grounds for their respective stands and are simply falling back on playing a shouting match that too in
perpetuity!>
Philip Thomas Oct 13 06:33:07 2004
(2)<Even if Goa succeeds through the highly acclaimed efforts of Churchill (Alemao, that is, and not Winston) to get the Navy to move out of Dabolim, will one then object to control by the Airport Authority of India, a central government undertaking, which runs most airports in the country? >
Dear Mr. Phillip Thomas,
wrt (1) once again, I believe that you might need to acquaint yourself with Dabolim. The airport and its environs have been taken over by the Indian Navy.
They are NOT leaving FULL STOP.......
They will listen to pleadings as much as Squatters who come and squat in your property.
FYI, I doubt any shouting is going on. There has been (until recently) NO avenue for anyone to make a case or hold a discussion.
This is why Mr. Alemao was prevailed upon - to make the case to the Centre.
wrt (2) please note the contents of the Alemao letter. I repeat my belief that your question (quoted above) is prejudicial. Either that, or you are arguing from a position of being quite unaware.
So that ALL of us are on the same page, I am reproducing (with permission) the Churchill Alemao letter of Sept 13, 2004
Please note that Mr. Alemao is NOT my idea of a good statesman. However, in this case, I applaud his actions wrt this matter.
good wishes
jc I have exhausted my information on this matter.
=====
A letter from Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP to Mr. Balasaheb Patil, MP and Chairman of the Defence Standing Committee
13th September 2004
Dear Chairman,
There have been problems faced by the Airport Authority of India in the civil operations of aircrafts at Dabolim Airport.
The main problem is that the Dabolim Civil Airport has been taken over by the Indian Naval Authority. Very often restrictions are imposed by our Navy on the landing slots of foreign chartered aircrafts carrying foreign tourists.
I would like to emphasise the importance of Goa as number one on the tourist map of India. There are nearly 300 to 400 hotels and resorts from Deluxe, 5-stars to 2-3 stars and almost 6-7 lakhs Goans depend on tourist trade for their livelihood. Revenues from tourist trade benefit directly or indirectly both the Goa State and our country as a whole.
The question of shifting the Naval Base from the Dabolim Airport to Sea Bird
Naval Base, Karwar, has already been taken up separately with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India in the right earnest.
I would request the Committee to deliberate on this issue of national importance and lend their weight to the proposal of shifting the Naval Base from Dabolim Airport so that it functions as a full fledged Civil Airport without any hindrances. The example of Red Fort in Delhi is there to follow in the interest of Tourism.
I am enclosing the following documentary evidence to prove that the Dabolim Airport is actually a Civil Airport:
1. In 1955 a decree was passed to build an airport for civil aviation. (Portuguese Government).
2. Document showing that after 'Operation Vijay', the Civilian Airport was taken over by Defence forces only for its maintenance.
3. Documents enlists all airports in India and are classified at Civil, Defence and Private. But Goa (Dabolim Airport) does not figure at all because, conveniently they hid its actual owner so that they could manipulate the Goa Government.
4. Official Gazette of former Colonial Government proves that Dabolim was a Civilian Airport.
5. For background purpose:- Goa being a very small state, it cannot afford to misuse, waste or part with its land resources. Defence and Central Government agencies occupy the major part of Vasco and Dabolim.
6. Some press cuttings to show why Dabolim Airport should be restored to its
civilian status and the Naval Training enclave should move to the biggest Naval Base at Sea Bird at Karwar. It must be noted that the Defence forces took over the Anjedive Island for expansion of Sea Bird Base without any compensation or benefit for Goa.
I am at your disposal for any further clarification required in this behalf.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Churchill Alemao M.P. (Lok Sabha) Ex-Chief Minister - Goa.
Reproduced courtesy Gaspar Almeida & Carmo Santos of the Goa Welfare Society, Kuwait with expressed permission to reproduce this letter given them by Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP (Lok Sabha)
TGF October 14, 2004
_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.com/
