http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/goa-s-special-status-demand-will-be-put-centre-sonia Published on: December 18, 2011 - 01:58
More in: - Goa News <http://www.navhindtimes.in/category/stories/news/goa-news> Story Summary: The Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi on Saturday told a huge gathering at the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) grounds PANAJI: The Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi on Saturday told a huge gathering at the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) grounds that she would take up Goa’s case for special status and construction on three bridges on Zuari, Galgibag and Talpona on priority. Addressing what the Congressmen claimed as the biggest ever political gathering in the state, which according to the police officials attracted around 50,000 people, Ms Gandhi said: "I shall certainly put both the issues before the central government for apt decision on the demand from the state leadership." The Union Defence Minister, Mr A K Anthony was also present on the occasion. In a reference to the issue of Regional Plan 2021, she expressed hope that the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat would find an acceptable solution to the vexed issue in consultation with the people concerned. The Saturday’s address was the first ever public meeting address by Congress president after her recent illness. Ms Gandhi stated that Goa was bestowed with natural beauty and had cherished history and rich biodiversity. She went on to add that the Centre was concerned about protection of environment and ecology, and pollution in the state and has taken various steps to protect the state’s fragile ecology and environment and also to contain pollution. Complimenting Goans on their achievement and progress and development ever since liberation, she said that Congress was behind in more ways than one in shaping the transformation of the state. She said that it would be a real challenge for Goans to sustain economic growth attained over the years. She said that while it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was instrumental in liberating Goa, Indira Gandhi through opinion poll gave a chance to Goans to maintain their unique identity. She further said that it was her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, who announced statehood for Goa and that she was present on that occasion. She also said that she was delighted to be associated with the golden jubilee celebrations of Goa’s liberation. She made a special mention of various achievements of the state especially in the fields of health, education, tourism and empowerment of women and said that Swarna Jayanti Arogya Bima Yojana and schemes for empowerment of women would go a long way in socio-economic development of the state. She also stated that Centre has given various concessions to the state in Coastal Regulation Zone rule to save houses of traditional fishermen. Stating that Goa was a special state in the country the Congress president went on to add that it was a shining embodiment of India’s secular tradition and called upon Goans to work towards strengthening the bonds of unity. Ms Gandhi also said that the elections to the state assembly would be held in a couple of months and called upon the gathering and Goans to vote for Congress so that the party could continue its efforts to build a prosperous Goa. She wished Goans a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Earlier, the Chief Minister made an impassioned plea to the Congress president to help Goa get special status and also take up the state’s case with the Union Surface Transport Ministry and the National Highway Authority of India for early construction of three bridges over Zuari, Galgibag and Talpona without the precondition of widening the roads. He also said that the regional Plan 2021 drawn by the state was unique and best ever in the country and said that all grievances related with it would be sorted in consultation with the panchayats and people concerned. "We will do justice to all," he said. He also spoke about various schemes his government has initiated for the welfare of the people of the state. Earlier, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Subhash Shirodkar gave the welcome address and later Mr Mauvin Godinho proposed a vote of thanks. Also present on the occasion were Mr Pratapsing Rane, Mr Francisco Sardinha, Mr Ravi Naik, Mr Luizinho Faleiro, Mr Churchill Alemao, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Mr Shantaram Naik and Mr P Sudhakar Reddy. The huge crowd to the gathering was brought in by over 1,100 buses hired by the Congress leaders. According to the Congress sources 200 buses were hired from Maharashtra while 100 others were hired from Karnataka. Some buses with people from various constituencies were seen arriving even as the rally neared its end. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Waman Tari said that the crowd was around 50,000. The largest crowd of around 9,000 people came from the two constituencies of Sattari taluka. The crowd was brought by 200 plus buses, hired by Mr Vishwajit Rane, the Health Minister. Besides, 200 additional buses hired by Mr Rane in five other constituencies of Pale, Bicholim, Mayem, Siolim and Mandrem brought an additional 7,000 crowd. The crowd was also brought in large numbers from some of the South Goa constituencies and some Congress leaders said that a large part of the crowd came from South Goa. People in over 25 buses could not make it to the rally as they got caught in the huge traffic jam and reached the venue only after the rally got over. Some people were seen moving towards the venue and enquiring with the people whether Ms Gandhi was still present even when the people were dispersing from the venue. Two freedom fighters, Mr Kanta Ghatwal and Mr Shreedhar Verenkar were felicitated on the occasion by Ms Gandhi. Even as Mr Shirodkar rose to speak, a person seated in the media enclosure rose and shouted that Congress was corrupt and it was anti-Hindu. His voice was lost in the din as Congress workers raised slogans in favour of the party and its leaders. The man was taken away by the deputy superintendent of police, Mr Dinraj Govekar. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------