CM agrees to discuss DefExpo with protestors; Goa would earn 100 Cr
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 24 February 2016 20:29 IST
Bowing before the pressure of public protests, Goa government has finally come down to discuss the issue of Defence Expo across the table.
Mellowing down his arrogant language of arresting the protestors, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has now announced a meeting of protesting villagers of Betul, opposition members and NGOs at the South Goa Collectorate tomorrow morning.
“South Goa Collector Sachin Shinde will make a detailed presentation about DefExpo and discuss all the issues”, said Parsekar, at a press conference called at his Altinho residence.
He also expressed hope that the false propaganda would stop after tomorrow’s presentation.
Villagers as well as opposition members have been consistently demanding to know all the details about four-day DefExpo scheduled from 28 March, on a 1.50 lakh sq mts of plateau at Quitol in Betul.
“People have given us mandate for five years and we are implementing what we intend to do. If people don’t agree with it, they are free to send us home”, said Parsekar, who took over from defence minister Manohar Parrikar in the middle of BJP’s tenure since 2012.
According to him, Goa will earn tax revenue of over Rs 100 crore with a four-day international exhibition of defence equipment.
The total cost of the DefExpo would be around Rs 450 crore, but Goa is earning without investing anything, except that the land is given free.
There would be total 5000 delegates and over one lakh business visitors, half of which would be foreigners, he said.
With shifting of DefExpo from the national capital to Goa, he said the participating stalls have gone up from 550 to 860.
“All the hotels of all the star categories in South Goa are fully booked and there are also bookings in North Goa”, he said.
In addition, Parsekar said taxis and even contractors would earn with the event since most of the material used for temporary structures is being procured locally.
The event would also help in marketing Goa as a tourist destination and we should not leave this opportunity, he felt.
When asked about his threat to arrest the protestors, Parsekar said: “We are not out to file FIRs, my only request is that people should not invite such situation.”
The press conference was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D’Souza and South Goa-based fisheries minister Avertano Furtado.
Beware Betul Goan public of this monkey game and after the U turns. Last moment he is trying to fool public mark my words, Think and make judgment to allow DefExpo