Panaji: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi He said on Saturday that his party would not allow Goa to become a coal import center if it comes to power in the next year’s assembly elections.
Addressing a conference of Congress workers nearby here, he said the increase in coal imports through the Mormugao port in the BJP-ruled state and double-tracking of the connecting railway line were designed to help a particular businessman.
Under the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, “sector after sector” was monopolized by the same five to six industrialists, Gandhi said.
“Today I met the fishermen, they told me that the railway line is being doubled, the import of coal through the port has increased and Goa is turning into a coal hub,” he said.
“We will not allow Goa to become a coal hub,” he said.
The Congress leader said he also met people affected by the closure of the iron ore mining industry in the state.
“Lakhs of people suffered due to the closure of mining, and he said that the mines will go to those whom Delhi wants. The mines will go to the same person,” Gandhi said without naming anyone.
He assured that the Congress would resume mining activities in Goa legally if voted to power.
“The airport is for Adani, the port is for Adani and Goa’s mining is also for Adani. What’s happening to you?” Gandhi asked.
The Prime Minister’s famous ‘Acche Din’ slogan was not for the common people but for “Adani Aur” Ambani“, he alleged.
“You will remember, PM came on television a few years back and he did what is now called demonetisation. They canceled the thousand rupee note,” Gandhi alleged, adding that it was aimed at helping some business families.
The Congress leader said the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax after the agriculture bills were not random developments.
“The plan is to attack the unorganized sector, small and medium businesses, attack small traders, workers and attack farmers. To take from them and give to the richest, most powerful people of the country,” he claimed.
“Wherever you look, you will find the same five or six names. Look at ports, coal, airports, agriculture, retail, telecom, you will find the same five or six people in sector after sector,” the Congress leader said.
Gandhi alleged that GST was designed to harm small and medium businesses and agricultural laws were framed to destroy small traders and farmers.
He also accused the media of not portraying the reality of the country.
“The Chinese enter our country, take thousands of kilometers of land, land almost the size of Delhi is captured. They are sitting inside the country and PM says that no one has taken our land.
Referring to his discussion with the former Union Finance Minister P ChidambaramGandhi, who was present at the convention, said that the Congress will provide sustainable employment by developing an education hub, healthcare hub and tourism in Goa.
“We are not just fighting elections here. We are fighting a battle to define what Goa is going to become, how Goa is going to treat itself and how Goa is going to treat the rest of the world. I want Goa to tell the nation. Rest of India that Goa should stand together and preserve and protect its wonderful culture and environment and still move forward with vigor and dynamism.”
Addressing a conference of Congress workers nearby here, he said the increase in coal imports through the Mormugao port in the BJP-ruled state and double-tracking of the connecting railway line were designed to help a particular businessman.
Under the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, “sector after sector” was monopolized by the same five to six industrialists, Gandhi said.
“Today I met the fishermen, they told me that the railway line is being doubled, the import of coal through the port has increased and Goa is turning into a coal hub,” he said.
“We will not allow Goa to become a coal hub,” he said.
The Congress leader said he also met people affected by the closure of the iron ore mining industry in the state.
“Lakhs of people suffered due to the closure of mining, and he said that the mines will go to those whom Delhi wants. The mines will go to the same person,” Gandhi said without naming anyone.
He assured that the Congress would resume mining activities in Goa legally if voted to power.
“The airport is for Adani, the port is for Adani and Goa’s mining is also for Adani. What’s happening to you?” Gandhi asked.
The Prime Minister’s famous ‘Acche Din’ slogan was not for the common people but for “Adani Aur” Ambani“, he alleged.
“You will remember, PM came on television a few years back and he did what is now called demonetisation. They canceled the thousand rupee note,” Gandhi alleged, adding that it was aimed at helping some business families.
The Congress leader said the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax after the agriculture bills were not random developments.
“The plan is to attack the unorganized sector, small and medium businesses, attack small traders, workers and attack farmers. To take from them and give to the richest, most powerful people of the country,” he claimed.
“Wherever you look, you will find the same five or six names. Look at ports, coal, airports, agriculture, retail, telecom, you will find the same five or six people in sector after sector,” the Congress leader said.
Gandhi alleged that GST was designed to harm small and medium businesses and agricultural laws were framed to destroy small traders and farmers.
He also accused the media of not portraying the reality of the country.
“The Chinese enter our country, take thousands of kilometers of land, land almost the size of Delhi is captured. They are sitting inside the country and PM says that no one has taken our land.
Referring to his discussion with the former Union Finance Minister P ChidambaramGandhi, who was present at the convention, said that the Congress will provide sustainable employment by developing an education hub, healthcare hub and tourism in Goa.
“We are not just fighting elections here. We are fighting a battle to define what Goa is going to become, how Goa is going to treat itself and how Goa is going to treat the rest of the world. I want Goa to tell the nation. Rest of India that Goa should stand together and preserve and protect its wonderful culture and environment and still move forward with vigor and dynamism.”
.