ROAD MAP FOR GOA ( NEWS REPORT) REGULATION OF MIGRANTS INFLUX STRESSED TO CONTROLL DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES. (Herald 21, 2005) By: Herald Reporter PANJIM, AUG 20 - Expressing concern over the demographic changes occurring in Goa, the President of Goa Su-Raj Party Dr. N. S. Dumo has said that there should be regulation for the inflow of migrant labour into Goa.
Addressing a press conference here after the release of his party's Road Map for Goa, Dr Dumo said it should be made mandatory for contractors to take back the labour they bring from outside the state. The authorities should also see that the migrant labourers are not treated like animals but provided with all the basic amenities only for a temporary period. Once their work is done, it should be ensured tat lock, stock and barrel they go back, he stated. He said Migrant Labour Act which has these provisions should be enforced strictly. He expressed fears that the current demographic pattern could spell doom for Goa and called upon the government to take serious note of simmering cauldron from exploding one day if necessary steps are not taken. He said it is quite clear that in-bound migration is the cause for the situation Goa faces itself today and blamed politicians for encouraging migrant labourers to settle down to serve as vote-bank. Vice President of Goa Su-Raj Adv. Antonio Lobo said Goa is losing Goans on one hand and facing influx of migrant labour. Replying to queries, he said as a solution, Goans must stay in Goa to stabilize the situation and at the same time have some kind of mechanism to see that the population of the native Goans is not reduced further. He pointed out that the states were carved out based on linguistic basis which also includes one's peculiar cultural ethos. In line with this principle, there should be no instability in the demography as it could create lot of problems as being faced in North East of the country, he stated. In any society, one cannot take more than what one can digest, he said adding that in the current situation, the natives have become victims in the employment market. Spokesman Floriano Lobo said that it is high time the government take necessary measures to stabilize the demographic pattern. As per the 2001 Census, Goa's population consists of 65.79% Hindus, 26.68% Christians and 6.84% Muslims. Earlier, the Road Map for Goa was released at a function held at Manvin's Hotel for which president of Lok Shakti Dr. Francisco Colaco was the chief guest and eminent writer and secretary general of Federation of Voter's Council, Goa, Damodar Ghanekar. END Corrections: 1. Adv. Antonio Lobo is the Executive Member of the Party. There are two Vice President, namely Mr. Alberto Leitao (South) & Mr. Mathias Vaz (North) 2. Dr. Francisco Colaco is the convenor of Lok Shakti. The President is Mr. Datta D. Naik.
