MARGAO: Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai has written to President Ram Nath Kovind urging him not to visit the state for the 60th anniversary of Goa’s liberation as, “the state intends to spend an exorbitant Rs 100 crore on the celebration at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet”.
Sardesai, in the letter, has pointed to protests over the Mollem projects, including the railway track doubling issue and the Mhadei water diversion issue. “While Goa faces its social and economic challenges, our natural forests and its diverse living ecosystem stands in the face of destruction. Goans today are unified in their voice to save Mollem,” the letter added.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Sardesai warned the government against using the zilla panchayat election result as a mandate “to destroy Goa” by going ahead with the three contentious projects. “The zilla panchayat election results is not a mandate to make Goa a coal hub or a coal corridor, or for double tracking,” he said.