Development; but not by environment destruction: PM
PTI, PANAJI | 29 February 2012 23:52 IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the ruling Congress wants development of Goa but not at the cost of environment, which has emerged as a key issue in the coastal state going to the polls on March 3.
In a brief election speech marred by technical glitch in the sound system which left the Congress embarrassed, Singh said environmental preservation was a major issue in Goa.
The party wants development of the tourist state, but not at the cost of its environment, he said. "In the new Coastal Regulation Zone notification, Goa's concerns have been addressed by the Central government."
Basic amenities in the state would be strengthened under the Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), if Congress is voted back to power in Goa, he said, speaking at a public meeting at Sankhalim.
"The Congress government has implemented several welfare programmes, including a mediclaim scheme covering all Goans," he said, highlighting the pro-people measures initiated by the Congress-NCP ruling coalition.
Maintaining that Congress has always worked for the betterment of the people, Singh assured whole-hearted support of the Centre to preserve Goa's rich heritage.
Earlier, a technical snag disrupted Singh's speech midway. Barely two minutes into his speech, he was not audible to 30,000-odd crowd as the sound system went off abruptly.
Unaware that the sound system has failed Singh continued his address for the next few minutes before some leaders on the stage pointed to the audio failure.
The sound system was restored after half an hour during which Singh sat patiently on the dais and in between chatted with NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel, who was among those present on the stage.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Goa Congress chief Subhash Shirodkar and GPCC Working President Francis Sardinha, among others, were also present on the dais.
Congress-NCP was the most corrupt govt in the history in Goa. Their achievement is loot, corruption and scams such illegal mining, manipulation of tenders in PWD & Health, SEZ IDC land scams. RP 2021 favoring Builder lobby wherein kickbacks worth 24.75 crores was accepted by Monserate to convert large chunks of agricultural land in 11 prime locations, money laundering e.g. Mumbai Customs nabbing of Monserate allegedly carrying 1000 crores, in both Indian and foreign currencies. Raping of Minor German by Monserrate son, Taleigao police station attack by Monserrate. Drug nexus involving Home minister Ravi & his son. Ravi’s support to CIPRIANO’s murder case. Jose Philip/Mauvin pocketing crores by denotification of airport land. Jose Philip negligence in Vasco Naphta fire resulting death of minors. Housing Board land scam by Nilkhant. Job Scams in power dept and pollution board by Alexio Sequira’s and his involvement in land scams wherein poor ST communities land was acquired to promote SEZ favoring MNCs in Verna Plateau and 20 point program to promote migrant votebank in Verna and Lotulim. IDC land and funds scams by Kavlekar. SUDA scam and looting land of poor farmers by Joaquim Alemao in Madel, Davondem, Fatorda, Cuncolim with excuse of urban development. Alemaos are involved in demolishing houses of Orlim locals, through bribe worth crores, to accommodate 10 meters roads access for 60 apartment housing project in Orlim promoted by Mumbai based Real Estate developer. Chorchill achievement in Navelim is only two bridges through kickbacks. Promotion of prostitution and drugs by Agnelo Fernandes in Calangute. CM Digambar, also a promoter of illegal mining worth 6000 crores, is involved in legalizing part of Cidade de Goa in spite of Supreme court order for demolition. Promoting migrant vote bank through dual ration cards. All congress ministers amassed unaccounted wealth which they have transferred through black money to Dubai and Swiss Banks. Shyam Satardekar’s and Joaquim Alemao savings through Govt loot is Rs.1.5 lakh per day to accumulate wealth of 40 crores for past 5 years. Majority of Congress ministers are listed as Goondas in police records. RP 2021, MOI, Garbage issues remain unsolved. Their party chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, is a big liar on Special Status for Goa and promoter of dynastic politics in Goa Congress NCP is not due for our valuable votes and their candidates, who are murderers and rapist of Goa, need to be thrown out in Sonsodo Garbage in upcoming assembly election