Alina urges Navy to vacate Dabolim; echoes Mopa opposition

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 11 April 2013 17:06 IST

Echoing demand of her deceased husband, forest minister Alina Saldanha has urged the Indian defence ministry to vacate Dabolim air port, illegally occupied by the Navy since Goa’s liberation.

She has also clarified that Matanhy, her late husband and former minister in the BJP government, had never supported construction of Mopa air port.

The issue had cropped up as chief minister Manohar Parrikar had claimed that Matanhy had also supported Mopa air port.

“I am not aware of what transpired during the conversation between the chief minister and Matanhy, but the CM has clearly stated on the floor of the house that he had not stated that Matanhy supported Mopa”, she said.

Contrary to her government stand, Alina has however urged the people of Goa to vigorously pursue the demand to revert Dabolim air port back to the Civilian Authorities.

According to Alina, Matanhy was opposed to Mopa as he was convinced that the small state of Goa could not sustain two international air ports.

Matanhy was totally focused on the Dabolim air port, which he firmly believed was a civilian air port with the Navy in illegal possession of it, she stated in a press note.

The forest minister also said Matanhy had gathered ample documentary evidence to prove that Dabolim air port is a Civilian air port.

This evidence is by way of Gazette Notifications right from the time of land acquisition to construct the air port during Portuguese rule to the post-liberation documents.

She even quoted minutes of the meeting of Board of Officers, held on 19 December 1962 in Panaji, under Lt. Col. Arjinder Singh, Commanding Officer of 17 Para AD RGTT.

The minutes, duly approved by the then Military Governor of Goa Major General K P Kandeth, clearly stated that the air port at Dabolim was a “Civil Government Property”.

“This is a post liberation document whose authenticity cannot be challenged”, said Alina.

The forest minister said that the Naval Authorities should take cognizance of these facts and should vacate Dabolim air port, which it is illegally occupying (War Booty) since 1961. 


goanews.com is now on Telegram & also Youtube. Kindly subscribe for free & remain updated.


Drop a comment

Enter The Code Displayed hereRefresh Image


Previous Comments

Alina should have come out in the open long ago. Anyway, better now than never. The CM has to move court and get back Dabolim. This Mopa is just an excuse to mint money. Nobody is considering South Goans' plight. When will the people who supported BJP take a stand?

- Mario, Vasco | 15 th April 2013 07:52

 

Prabhakar Timble:::

Alina is still a Political Novice / newbie.

She will need more time to mature & gain experience.

I doubt she has been cut-out to be effective, in the "DOG EAT DOG " world of (very) corrupt Goan Politics.

By all accounts, she seems to be under the thumb of a ruthless & conniving Mr Parrikar. So do many other of BJP MLA`s. They have all been made subservient. This is common knowledge & perception in Goa.

I also feel her closest Advisors will need to be more forthright & positive in their advice to her.

For the moment, they are playing safe.

- n.fernandes, London | 13 th April 2013 13:06

 

What stops Alina Saldanha from speaking in the Assembly. As a legislator she needs to debate her points there rather than release press statements when the Assembly is in session. Let her stand be a part of Assembly debates. When she expects people to agitate for Navy to vacate Dabolim, we expect her to move a resolution in the Assembly and putting the record before the august house.

- Prabhakar Timble, Margao | 12 th April 2013 19:26

 

If Mr Parrikar, is part of a Civilised Democracy and a Civilised Legislature, he should be cautious about making "MISLEADING" statements or remarks.

Mis-leading Parliament ,or even a Legislature ,as in Goa, is as equitable to obtaining pecuniary advantage through deception.

If any of the Goan MLA`s & the Legislature are worth their salt/name, then Mr Parrikar should be made to Publicly re-tract his fraudulent claim, that Mathany supported Mopa.

- n.fernandes, London | 12 th April 2013 15:42

 

It is time that Mr Parrikar stops playing his mind-games with the Goan people and starts delivering the truth.

He has made several remarks , and on being questioned and taken to task over them, he has stated he is taken out of context.

To remind you of some:

1...what he claimed illegal before elections, has now become" irregular". Reference to Mining.

On Lokayukta amendments, he claims Justice Reddy recommended them. Justice Reddy is now shy.

Sometimes one wonders who is the bigger fool. ..The CM or the Goans.

A Tape /video recording of the Legislature will prove once & for all what Parrikar stated and if he has lied.

It is rather sad when, a CM has to resort to untruths to promote his agenda & obsessions.

- n.fernandes, London | 11 th April 2013 21:48

 

Latest News

Ports

Desktop Site