Dear Stephen,
I have taken the liberty of forwarding your post IS BJP ADAMANT ON EREMITA
MOPA PLANS to Fr. Eremito Rebelo, and he has in turn entrusted me with the task
of forwarding his reply to you, which I am now executing.
Regards,
Edwin Pinto
Dear Stephen,
At the outset, let me say how glad I am that you see a bright future for the
development of Goa’s Science, techology and RDA under the able stewardship of
Alina Saldanha “due to her abilities being a good Teacher “ as you have
declared.
However, I am a bit perplexed at your observation that I was “angry” with Alina
about her stand or lack of stand as you see it on the Mopa, Tiracol and Special
Status issues. To clarify my stand, I was not “angry” with Alina, but merely
expressing strongly perhaps, what I felt needed to be her public stand in view
of her responsible position as Minister of Environment and Forests, and her
stated objective of fulfilling Matanhy’s vision for Goa.
The focus of GFDO’s recent press note of October 12th, 2015, was not Alina
Saldanha, but the way in which this government is planning to do away with all
perceived obstacles and impediments in its onward march to implementing its
agenda of selling Goa, as can be seen from the manner in which they have
replaced Alina with Arlekar. Despite the disappointments that the people have
had to contend with, I would urge you to assess Alina’s performance in relation
to the performance of other ministers in the cabinet. Anyone who has the
interest of Goa’s environment and ecology at heart, will have to concede that
it is highly unlikely that Arlekar’s protection of the environment will be an
improvement on Alina’s.
The government has now moved into the process of even changing laws to fulfil
its agenda, which will have very serious implications for Goa, besides the
divisive overtones and fear ridden atmosphere prevalent today. As you are
obviously aware, Alina has accepted her new portfolio and has consciously
decided to remain in the fold of this government despite it all. The MLAs who
are supporting this government directly or indirectly, are complicit in aiding
and abetting the implementation of its alarming agenda. We can only appeal to
their conscience. The decision is theirs. But as we have seen in the past, the
burden somehow always rests on the shoulders of the people.
Best wishes and God’s blessings on you and Goa
Fr. Eremito Rebelo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U-TURN BY FR. EREMITA REBELLO TO SATISFY ALINA
Dear Fr, Eremita,
GFDO Convenor.
Let me give you some facts for your kind information.
1. Goa State Pollution Control Board conducted public hearing at Mopa
as desired by Ministry of Environment and Forest. You were present to give
objections but Alina and Nitin Sawant from Goa State Biodiversity Board were
conspicuous by their absence. You were angry and you criticized Alina not
supporting the cause against Mopa.
2. Alina was also absent during against Tiracol Golf course. In fact
she allowed forest trees to be cut at Tiracol. Again you were angry and
criticized her.
3. You know that Alina had unilaterally decided to resign from BJP and
Parrikar Government when Modi becoming Prime Minister does not give special
status to Goa.
Goa did not get special status. Again you were angry, but Alina did not resign
and you criticized her.
4. Now, you know that, except for Sancoale Marina the entire Goa
environment from Pernem, Anjuna, Vagator, Calangute, Sinquerim upto Canacona is
damaged by the BJP government. You are now angry with everybody except Alina.
Why this sudden U-Turn by you? Are you following the foot steps of Parrikar?
What do you expect Alina to do for Dabolim airport which she has not done in
the last three and half years in power
5. Today ( 12th October) you issued a Press note and asking her to join
the people of Goa to save the state for destruction at the hands of BJP. Will
she listen to your instructions? Or will she continue to work for the BJP
Government?
6. New portfolio for Science and Technology offered to her by Parsekar is due
to her abilities being a good Teacher and I am sure she should be able to
perform her duties as Minister of Science and Technology and RDA, as there are
no much political side effects.
Fr. Eremita please opens your eyes and I am counting this in your own interest
and the Goan Environment cause.
Your admirer,
Stephen Dias
Dona Paula
Date: 12.10.2015
