The Hindu : National : Relief in Goa as protesters put off decision

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Sunday, Dec 30, 2007
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Relief in Goa as protesters put off decision

Prakash Kamat

PANAJI: The uncertainty over the New Year celebrations in the coastal tourist State of Goa came to an end on Saturday with the groups agitating against the special economic zone (SEZ) projects deciding to wait till January 2 to decide their next course of action.

The ice was broken following a meeting held by the leaders of the agitating groups and parties led by former Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at the invitation of the latter.

Others included in the delegation led by the convener of the Goa Movement Against Special Economic Zone (GMAS) were Bharatiya Janata Party leaders — Manohar Parrikar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and a former Chief Minister, and Sripad Naik, BJP’s Goa unit president and North Goa MP.

Kamat’s assurance

Addressing presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Saldanha said the Chief Minister assured them that he would come out with a concrete statement on the SEZ projects on January 2. In view of this, the GMAS thought it appropriate to defer its decision to intensify the agitation and wait till then to decide the next course of action, Mr. Saldanha stated.

He, however, made it clear that what they expected from the government was nothing short of scrapping of all SEZ projects.

Launching a scathing attack on the proposed projects, Mr. Saldanha said these projects would not only gobble up precious land in the tiny State but also finish its identity.

“One of the reasons tourism flourishes in Goa, tourists flock to Goa from within the country and abroad, is the friendly, warm nature of Goans. It is this identity of the Goans which would be the first casualty if we allow these monstrous projects, which would simply open doors for mindless influx in pursuit of jobs,” Mr. Saldanha said.

Saturday’s developments came as a much-needed breather for the tourism industry following days of uncertainty which haunted the various stakeholders of the hospitality-travel sector. The industry was in a state of confusion following the statement issued by Mr. Saldanha last week that tourists should leave the State by December 28 as they intended to intensify their agitation.

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