GFDO PRESS STATEMENT GFDO SLAMS GOVT APATHY TOWARDS MOPA AFFECTED FAMILIES
Appeals to Govt to stop the project and save Goa from another embarrassing Scam Members of GFDO led by Eremito Rebelo visited the Mopa plateau to take stock of the situation in view of recent disturbing developments wherein villagers homes have been summarily demolished on the Mopa plateau. According to the so-called Masterplan of the proposed airport, the site where the houses are located does not fall within the actual proposed airport site but within the so-called city side development area. Hence there was no reason to demolish the houses at this stage with such undue haste, especially when the NGT case is still being heard. The demolition of the houses in an illegal manner by the government is a gross violation of human rights and a clear reflection of the fascist nature of this Parrikar led government. A few days ago, it was alleged that over 300 fencing poles had been broken and a few poles stolen. Since the site is under heavy police protection, such vandalism could certainly not have gone unnoticed by the police. It is clear therefore, that no ordinary villagers could have got away with this act, unless it was a criminal conspiracy hatched by the government in collaboration with the airport contractor, to trap local leaders in court cases and instill fear in the minds of the villagers . GFDO also strongly condemns the government’s creation of a new PDA for the so-called city side development area. It will be recalled that the government has generously given the land to GMR at 2.5 FAR along with the road to connect the area, in order to make this project financially viable. Hence the government needs to explain to the people of Goa why a PDA is needed for this area since GMR has been given complete monopoly to plan and develop the area however and whenever they want. Hence, there is absolutely no logical justification for the creation of the PDA except perhaps for underhand “collection” from the real estate developers who will lease the land from GMR. The PDA will also adversely affect the people of the area by disempowering them and concentrating power in the hands of the government to grab and concretise the entire area from the highway to the plateau and all the other lakhs of square meters surrounding the plateau, including paddy fields and residential areas where villagers reside. This in fact, is the real reason why the doomed Mopa Airport is being relentlessly pushed by certain politicians. Since the last few months, attempts have been made to meet the Governor of Goa and the CM of Goa to discuss the Mopa issue. However, the calls for discussion of the implications of this project have been ignored. At the same time, GFDO members have been collecting documents from various departments related to this project and allege that there is no doubt that the Mopa Project is a huge scam. The CM is probably aware of all the evidence that has been collected. TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, who was a vociferous opponent of the Mopa Airport project before the elections, has also made an inexplicable somersault when GFDO met with him some time ago. In the interest of Goem, Goenkar and Goenkarponn, GFDO issues this final appeal to the government and in particular to CM Parrikar and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai to stop this project forthwith in order to save the Goa Government from being totally exposed and vulnerable to action when the details of the Mopa Airport scam is made public at an appropriate time. Eremito Rebello Convener
