House passes resolution on Special Status - Herald

April 16, 2013 One-third of population speak neither Konkani nor Marathi: CM TEAM HERALD PANJIM: The Goa state legislative assembly on Monday unanimously resolved to recommend to the Union government to grant Special Status to Goa under Article 371 of Constitution of India or any other provisions of Constitution regulating ownership and transfer of land in order to conserve the state’s limited resources for development. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also announced that he would take an all party delegation to New Delhi, next month, to press for Special Status on the lines of that granted to Mizoram and Uttaranchal. The resolution was moved by Parrikar who also stressed on preserving the unique identity of Goa. The chief minister assured the house that he would continue pressuring the central government, irrespective of who comes to power during Lok Sabha elections. “Let us forget all differences and come together on this crucial issue,” he urged. The legislators, cutting across the party lines, supported the resolution. Parrikar said that this is not a political resolution or election gimmick considering the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The chief minister clarified that the state is not asking for any financial assistance from from the Centre like Bihar, whose government is demanding special status for financial assistance. “The state, with highest per capital income will never be granted a financial package. If we ask them, it might turn out to be a hurdle,” he stated. Parrikar said that his government is not bothered about the state economy, as Goa has the capacity to raise funds. “What we are demanding is powers to protect our land and identity,” he stated. The chief minister told the house that of the total 3,702 square kilometers of land, the state is left with only 350 square kilometers of land for future development, which is a cause of concern. “Land will be a crucial issue in the near future. We have hardly 6 to 7 per cent of land left for development,” he said. He said that the land sharks have created land banks in Goa, straining the resources further.” But by and large we ourselves are responsible for this,” he said adding “Every central institute is looking at Goa as a destination to set up their facility, which we are not going to allow.” Parrikar lamented that the people are selling their properties in order to earn money, which is not acceptable. He conceded that without special status the state government will have limited control on the sale of land resources. “We cannot completely depend on the Centre. If we want to protect our selves, or the land, then the state will have to formulate its own laws,” he stated. The chief minister said that Goans will lose their identity to the mass inflow of the other Indians. He pointed out that as per 2002 census one third of Goa’s population does not speak either Konkani or Marathi but speak languages varying from Kannada to Urdu. “If the influx continues, time will come when we will start talking Hindi,” he commented. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/House-passes-resolution-on-Special-Status/73273.html Assembly unanimous on special status for Goa TNN | Apr 16, 2013, 06.33 AM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Assembly-unanimous-on-special-status-for-Goa/articleshow/19572105.cms Goa’s identity needs to be protected: Alina April 16, 2013 http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Goa-rsquo-s-identity-needs-to-be-protected-Alina/73262.html