The political class of Goa is hell bend in selling Goa's interest to Delhi Babu's. This was evident right from 1961. The Indian invasion of Goa and subsequent occupations of prime land by the Indian Army and Navy is testimony of these sinister motives.
Goa Government under then Chief Minister of Goa, Mr Ravi Naik secretly gave away the Anjediv Island to Indian Navy due to its strategic importance to Blue Bird Project. The Dabolim airport was originally built by the Portuguese but after Indian invasion of Goa it was taken over by Indian Navy as its Naval Base. It was named INS Hansa on 2 Sep 1964. Instead signing land-for-land agreement to reclaim the airport and the adjoining land, Mr. Ravi sold Anjediv Island for a song. What is the contribution of Indian Navy to Goa and Goans? Nothing. Mormugao Port rightly belong Goa and Goans, but not only we lost the port but the entire Mormugao coastline, as it is now claimed by MPT which is run by Delhi Babu's. What is the contribution of MPT to Goa and Goan Economy? Nothing. Rather they encourage illegal mining by exporting the iron ore. The Indian Army has around 6 camps in Goa occupying tens of hectares and holding on to our heritage buildings in a prime location at Panjim. What is the contribution of Indian Army to Goa? Nothing. Now, greedy Goa Politician wants to develop one more airport at Mopa by taking away the agricultural land from marginal farmers. The social and environmental damages in and around Mopa will be colossal and has to be scientifically assessed by impartial agency. This cannot be decided by corruption tainted politicians by naming itself steering committee. The villagers whose land is grabbed by force are marginal farmers and taking away their land will make them poorer not richer. Whereas dozen politicians who have land holding in that area will become richer hundred fold. One of the prominent politician and friend of Aviation Minister of India has about 500 acres of land with the market value of 100 crores (as per 2009 valuation). With the land prices raising after completion of Mopa Airport the 100 crores will become 1000 crores or more. What will be the fate our farmers after completion of Mopa Airport is anybody's guess. The steering committee now has raised the land value to Rs 60. Can steering committees enlighten Goans which part of Goa land is available at Rs 60? Individual with 500 acres land will harvest super bumper crop beyond our imagination but the owners of the land (farmers) will be on the road to poverty. If, this is the development for the sons of the soil than one must oppose this project tooth and nail. Farmer should be equal partners if the project has to succeed. Farmers must get the Equity plus cash. The environment damages are never recorded in our books as even greed has over taken some of our scientist. The Flora and Fauna in the surroundings areas will suffer un-repairable damage due to constant sound of flight take-off and land use for commercial use. Very interesting to see that The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, decided not to permit (no firm confirmation) any Special Economic Zone within the Coastal Regulation Zone area in Goa and to grant Goa 'special status.' But, is Mopa Airport project include in this notification, I guess not. The Question is why. Kamat Government and the opposition parties have nothing credible to show that they are here to serve the Goan people interest. There endless list of corruption is the testimony for the people of Goa to decide what action one has to take to clean-up the political mess. Agnelo Pinheiro Raia/Dubai
