May 13th, 2015 GFDO PRESS STATEMENT
When the Chief Minister of a state publicly reveals that he has instructed his Minister of Environment & Forests to “shut her mouth” on a particular issue, then it is cause for serious concern amongst the people about the manner in which their government is functioning. Of course Mr. Parsekar as Pernem MLA, Health Minister and then Chief Minister, has never held back from expressing his very controversial mindset on various issues. Even as Goans were recovering from his statement in a local weekly that queried “if tourists ask for drugs, what can we do?”, his views on the disabled being “mistakes of God” brought Goa into the limelight on national TV. It was then the turn of the striking nurses to receive the benefit of the CM’s sage advice to stay out of the sun lest they get dark and fail to get “matches”. But perhaps Mr. Parsekar is only expressing the mindset and ideology of his BJP party. Are dissenting views not to be tolerated in this government? If CM Parsekar has ordered Alina Saldanha to “shut her mouth” on the marina issue, then it is quite likely that he has also commanded her to do so in the Mopa issue, which is an environmental disaster in the making of a much more serious magnitude. But what can be said about the modus operandi of Chief Minister Parsekar, who in the face of falling tourist arrival figures and media headlines repeatedly agonizing about the future of tourism in Goa after analysis of the trends, brazenly insults the intelligence of his own people by promoting Mopa Airport as “needed to handle the bulk arrivals”. The dictatorial mode of functioning of this government is clearly visible from the CM’s attitude when he refuses to substantiate his claims and justification for a second airport with fact, figures, logic and reason despite numerous demands by GFDO calling for a public debate. After all, these are public and community resources that the CM is playing with so cavalierly. The Environment & Forests Minister Alina Saldanha also needs to explain why she chose to raise the issue of her opposition to marinas in a note to the CM and did not also do so formally and officially at the cabinet meeting. She should surely realize that by accepting the position of Minister of Environment & Forests, she has undertaken to shoulder the heavy responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the ecology and environment of the state of Goa. To help her fulfill her duties, the public exchequer is supporting various expert bodies like the Goa State Biodiversity Board etc. As a cabinet minister, Ms. Saldanha cannot restrict her concern to her own constituency only, but needs to speak out and act on the various massive projects like golf courses, Mopa Airport, and of course other marinas being planned and steamrolled through by the government that she is part of. Merely making public announcements and writing notes to CMs does not carry conviction regarding her stand on issues. The people need to see concrete action taken by her at the cabinet and ground level. The Minister should realize that this is not a position created purely for ceremonial and ‘rubber stamp’ purposes. In fact whilst failing to address the environmental implications of setting up such a massive project in an eco sensitive plateau like Mopa, abutting the Western Ghats, the Minister has instead publicly and shockingly exhorted the people of Goa to get together and do the government’s job of ‘evicting’ the Navy from Dabolim. However, GFDO once again reiterates to the government of the day that it will continue fighting against this unnecessary and destructive second airport at Mopa. It will be recalled that the late Matanhy Saldanha had told the erstwhile Congress government that “Anyone who demands two airports is not sincere but is attempting to manipulate the public. Once Mopa is constructed, Dabolim will not be retained because of the presence of the Navy and even if Dabolim continues, Mopa airport will be uneconomical and unviable. Under no circumstances the Mopa airport can be accepted as the second airport. Instead the Navy should shift to Karwar.” Now that Matanhy’s close friend former CM Parrikar is Defence Minister, and the final decision maker, reclaiming Dabolim Airport for Goa is well within the reach of the state. Will Matanhy’s wish be made reality by his professed admirer and close friend Defence Minister Parrikar, or is it just another game of the BJP government as they play to the gallery. In the light of what Matanhy Saldanha had told the Congress government, one is left wondering what he would have said about his own government’s performance today. For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY Fr. Eremito Rebelo Convenor
