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Sangath, www.sangath.com, is looking to build a centre for services, training and research and seeks to buy approx 1500 to 2000 sq mtrs land betweeen Mapusa and Bambolim and surrounding rural areas. Please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] or ph+91-9881499458 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-July/180028.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Farmers vow to fight to save fields Monday, 03 August 2009 01:35 MARGAO: Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott on Sunday vowed the repeat of another Nandigram-like struggle in Goa if the government failed to stop acquisition of fields in the state. The farmers also pledged their blood for the cause of their fields and urged all the farmers to remain united and fight collectively to save the fields. Farmers from various parts of the state attended a massive meet at the Lohia Maidan on Sunday. They slammed the government for acquiring fields for various projects, especially for construction purposes. Farmers also pointed that if the government continues to acquire fields, a day will come when there will be no food for people. The public rally which was attended by over 700 farmers started with young girls passing a message to the audience through a Konkani song while other speakers quoted poems by noted personalities to also pass on the message to the farmers and called for a massive public rally in Panaji as a show of strength to the government before launching their agitation to get their fields back. Ms Ida Coutinho from Orlim pointed out that the town and country planning department passes housing projects close to fields and even in fields, however the farmers are the ones who suffer. She said that these housing projects do not have proper sanitation programme and the workers answer nature's call in the fields. Further, she pointed out that garbage is also dumped into the fields. She said that in Orlim and surrounding areas farmers developed rash on their bodies due to the dumping and release of sewage in the fields. She alleged that this is a deliberate attempt to discourage the farmers. "The government is looking to provide foodgrains at Rs 3 per kg but from where is it going to provide the foodgrains if all the fields are acquired?" she questioned. Mr Sandeep Kamble from Pernem said that the government is looking to acquire large chunks of fertile paddy fields besides acquiring other orchid lands for the proposed Mopa airport. He questioned the Chief Minister as to how the government could apply various sections and acquire the land and added that the farmers of Pernem are united and will fight till the last to save their fields. He said that they are strongly opposed to the airport, which will rob them of their fields. Mr John D'Costa from Nuvem pointed out that the government is discouraging farming. He said that the government keeps on talking of subsidies, however, till date the subsidies are yet to reach the farmers. That apart he said that the government does not even have modern machinery to support farming in the sate. Mr D Oarab from Dhargal criticised the government for acquiring 13.14 lakh square metres of land including fields for the Sports City and said that the fields are rich and that these fields would be lost permanently. He further said that over 10,000 trees would be lost. He alleged that under the disguise of Sports City, 5-star hotels with golf courses etc are being planned. He also slammed the government for working against the interest of the common man. Mr Steve Andrade urged the people not to sell their fields and properties. Other speakers also took up various issues and the forum unanimously passed two resolutions to stop acquisition of agricultural land for any purpose and return of already acquired land to the people. http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/1561-farmers-vow-to-fight-to-save-fields
