Green activists slam Goa CM Parrikar
By John Edwards, Panaji, Mar 11 : Green activists Monday accused Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of failing to perform his duties and said his proactive language against them were signs of some hidden agenda.
Claude Alvares, Ramesh Gawas who among other environmentalists met Goa Governor B V Wanchoo seeking security of all those fighting against illegal mining, also alleged that Parrikar has become a toy in the hands of the mining lobby.
"Chief Minister has failed in his duty and his proactive statements against the environmentalists prove he has a hidden agenda. His public statement expressing helplessness at a possible deterioration in the law and order situation clearly indicates he has become a toy in the hands of mining lobby," read the memorandum submitted by the activists to the Governor.
The activists demanded that BJP-led coalition recover around Rs 4,000 crores loss due to illegal mining as pointed out by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) then headed by Parrikar, to help the financial-struck mining dependents.
"The financial packages announced by the state government is loot of public funds and primarily because of the fast approaching 2014 parliamentary elections," Alvares told reporters after the meet.
Parrikar, last weekend, announced Umbrella Scheme, tailored to financially help about 10,000 mining dependents in the State.