Dears, With reference to this statement in the Herald Report Quote Replying to a question, Parrikar said the government will protect the interest of Dabolim by inserting a clause in the RFP that Dabolim will continue to be operational even after Mopa becomes a reality. "No one will be able to simply change the terms of reference by removing the clause in the future. If anyone dares to remove the clause, it would amount to the biggest-ever-scam and would be open. Unquote Let me remind GOANS that a long time ago, such a 'clause' was included in the contract of illegal hand-over of the Anjediva Island by Pratapsing Rane and Ravi Naik to the NAVY and through this particular 'clause' the esteemed Indian NAVY was obligated to effect entry of Goa's Pilgrims to worship at the Anjediva Church on yearly basis. But the esteemed NAVY has made slight of this 'clause' or 'stipulation' in the contract and the dispute has spilled over in the Indian Parliament. If Manohar Parrikar thinks that GOANS will want to be tested once again on mere 'clauses' inserted in contracts with the Indian NAVY w.r.t. Dabolim Airport, when the Indian Navy has shown 'contempt' for such stipulations and clauses with the mind-set of the CONQUERING FORCES, already, he has to think again. Cheers floriano goasuraj 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONLY DABOLIM - WITH NAVY OUT SPECIAL STATUS FOR GOA IS A MUST VIVA GOA - VIVA GOEMKARS Amchem Goem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PHvEkxLCmc ** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Our_Lady_of_Springs [Until recently, Goan Catholics from all parts of the world have been visiting this "Brotas" church on pilgrimage for worship.[6] After the Indian Navy took over the island to establish 'Project Sea Bird' (a naval base project), disputes have cropped up on allowing pilgrims to visit the churches here, since the area is now considered a military 'high security' zone. It is claimed that when theGovernment of Goa handed over the island in December 1987 to the Indian Navy there was a stipulation that pilgrims would be allowed to visit the Church of Our Lady of Springs and the Chapel of St Francis D'Assissi on the island, particularly on feast days on 2 February and 4 October.[citation needed] The issue has remained unresolved although the Navy continues to grant permission on a year-to-year basis.[3] The issue has been raised in the Indian Parliament by MP Rajya Sabha, who demands that devotees should be allowed to celebrate the religious festivals every year on the two Islands. To resolve the situation, it has been suggested that the numbers of pilgrims be controlled, access be restricted to only those who are issued a photo identity card by the Government of Goa, only one group of pilgrims be allowed to visit at a time, and just one mass be held in the Church.[3]] May 19, 2013 TEAM HERALD [email protected] MARGAO: Firmly ruling out any re-think or keeping on hold the processes relating to the controversial Mopa airport, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday asserted that the Request for Qualification (RFQ) only for the construction of the airport would be floated before May 30. However, in a bid to allay public apprehensions over the proposed airport, the chief minister said the government would soon issue a notification freezing all land development within a five kilometre radius from the proposed airport. He asserted that the government would insert a clause in the Request for Proposal (RFP) that Dabolim would always remain operational and promised to build four and six lane highways connecting North and South Goa within the next four years. Addressing the media during his visit to the South Goa District Collectorate, the chief minister said Mopa would be constructed only after following legal processes, including the environment impact assessment (EIA) study. He, however, hastened to add that nothing stops the government from beginning all the processes simultaneously and finding out whether any one is interested in building the airport, while admitting that the government would conduct an EIA study. Replying to a question, Parrikar said the government will protect the interest of Dabolim by inserting a clause in the RFP that Dabolim will continue to be operational even after Mopa becomes a reality. "No one will be able to simply change the terms of reference by removing the clause in the future. If anyone dares to remove the clause, it would amount to the biggest-ever-scam and would be open No re-think on Mopa: Parrikar to a vigilance probe", he cautioned. The chief minister sought to allay apprehensions raised in certain quarters that Mopa would spell doom for tourism-related activity in South Goa. "I can say that any tourist landing at Mopa would be able to reach Leela Hotel, Mobor in 50 minutes after the four and six lane highway takes concrete shape. In fact, the beaches in Maharashtra would be further away from the airport than Goan beaches because of the location of the road", he said. Replying to a question, he said it would take six years for the Mopa airport to take shape since the order will be issued for construction in 2014. Replying to another question, he said double standard politicians such as Churchill Alemao and Vijai Sardessai needs to be dumped lock, stock and barrel. "Did Churchill Alemao not give his nod when the cabinet decided to appoint an agency to conduct feasibility. Why was Vijai sardessai quite on Mopa when he was the Congress general secretary", he questioned. When his attention was drawn to the demand by Fr Eremito-led Goans for Dabolim Only for a public debate on the airport issue, Parrikar initially said the government has already taken a decision in favour of the Mopa airport. He, however, hastened to add that he is ready to hold discussions with genuine persons like Fr Eremito to clear their doubts on the isuse. When his attention was drawn to the presence of his cabinet colleagues Alina Saldanha and Avertano Furtado at the Lohia Maidan meeting of Goans for Dabolim Only, Parrikar shot back "In a collective responsibility, you don't have to agree hundred per cent to everything. Your have to accept certain decisions. Moreover, I would have attended the meeting, if had the time. I had the inclination to attend. What is there in listening? " Asked whether the government would do a rethink on Mopa, Parrikar said the government had never shown its willingness to close down Mopa. Asked further whether the government is open for a public debate as demanded by Goans for Dabolim Only, Parrikar said the decision in favour of Mopa was taken long back. "I am ready to listen to anyone, but the government decision on Mopa was taken long back. The government cannot go on switching decisions like that. I am ready to listen . I am ready to discuss the issue with genuine persons such as Fr Eremito. I have ensured a positive parameter in the RFP clause that Dabolim will continue its commercial and civilian operations which the earlier government did not take into account. This clause would bind us." ----------------------------------------------------------------
