BJP admits to difficulty on Special Status (Herald)

PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Thursday expressed difficulty in getting Goa’s demand for Special Status approved by the Centre. He said, instead “the State should chase whatever is practicable, feasible and available within the legal framework”.

By TEAM HERALD | 02 Jan, 2015, 11:55PM IST

 This is for the first time that the BJP-led government has admitted that granting Special Status would be difficult, as it does not fit within the legal framework. The statement is likely to simmer controversy, considering the fact that Goans, since Liberation in 1961, have been demanding Special Status under Article 371 of the Constitution of India, since the territory missed three Five Year plans. Presently, the demand is because of a looming threat to the State’s identity, culture and land resources, necessitating some exceptional provisions within the constitutional framework.

“I would be happy if we get Special Status, but it is very difficult. We need to chase whatever is practicable, feasible and available within the legal framework,” Parsekar told media persons on Thursday after his meeting with Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan. 

“I know that the resolution has been passed in the Goa Assembly seeking Special Status. I also feel that the Special Status should be accorded to the State, but it is difficult,” he claimed. Parsekar said the government is thinking of “other options to get Special Status. We have not withdrawn from our demand of Special Status.” 

Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s efforts to secure Special Status for the State, had come to naught after the Union government turned it down. The State Legislative Assembly had in 2013, passed a unanimous resolution and urged the Union Government for grant of Special Status to Goa, to protect its identity, land resource and culture without any financial implications.  

Meanwhile, Parsekar said that his government’s top priority would be creation of jobs, especially considering that ‘lakhs of youth’ are left jobless due to closure of mining industry. 

“In the last two to three years, and even during the BJP’s last term we have implemented several schemes for the public, which are sufficient. Now the priority would be on job creation,” he said, adding that post Goa’s Liberation, there has been development of education leading to number of educated unemployed swelling. “They aspire for government jobs and hence are left frustrated,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the focus of the BJP government in the ensuing two years would be purely on job creation. “We have already set up an investment promotion board. We want to welcome investors. We have already asked the Central Government for tax holiday for the State,” he said. 

 

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/BJP-admits-to-difficulty-on-Special-Status/82931.html