Panaji: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has congratulated Shell- Melaulim people and all Goenkars who supported them, as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced to scrap proposed IIT in Shell-Melaulim and to take it at another place.
“Finally, insensitive Chief Minister Pramod Sawant came in his senses only when Health Minister Vishwajit Rane realised thay the wrath of the people was threatening his political career, demanded to scrap IIT. People have aced it with great unity to protect land, however Chief Minister and Health Minister bent down only to save and protect their political career.
Reacting to the Chief Minister’s statement that the decision has been taken to respect the sentiments of the people, Chodankar said that people of Goa cannot be fooled as the decision was taken only to save their political careers .
The true test of respecting public sentiments will be seen from his actions as regards to double tracking, four-laning of the National Highway and laying of power transmission lines. These Projects are not confined to only a particular area but affects the life line of every Goenkar. The Chief Minister should not delay in Announcing the Scrapping of these three projects Chodankar said.
Chodankar also demanded to withdraw the cases filed against protestors immediately. “Congress will not keep quiet if cases are not withdrawn, as these cases are fabricated to suppress the voice of people.” He vociferously said.
He reiterated that Shel Melauli people have set an example of unity, which compelled Vishwajit Rane and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to bow down to the demand of the people
Meanwhile, Girish Chodankar has informed that the call given of apolitical “Tiranga Satyagraha’ by him is temporarily Called off. “One can’t trust this government, hence we are not cancelling the Satyagraha. If the government fails to officially scrap the project and withdraw cases within a month then will definitely take steps in the interest of people.” Chodankar said.
It may be called that the Congress party right from the beginning of the protest had been supporting the people of Shel Melaulim and several of its office bearers including it Valpoi Block president Dasharath Mandrekar was arrested several times. Chodankar had challenged the Government to arrest him after villagers were manhandled by police while holding press conference at Melaulim. Chodankar had addressed press conference at same venue in the month of June 2020.
