PANAJI: Supporting the demand of the people from Karwar and Joida talukas in the neighbouring Karnataka state, as regards joining the two talukas with Goa for creating Greater Goa, the Minister for Public Works Department, Mr Churchill Alemao on Tuesday

said that this step would provide an additional territory of about 1,800 sq kms to Goa, which already has a territory of around 3,702 sq. kms and a population of 15 lakh people. "The state government has to make its stand clear in this context," he added.

Mr Alemao told this daily that most of the people residing in the two talukas from Karnataka are Konkani speaking people, who had migrated during the inquisition period of the Portuguese regime in the region.

"The population of Goa is ever increasing and if we get extra land then it would be a boon to the state," he maintained, pointing out that a bigger state is always financially viable.

Speaking further, the PWD Minister said that a power plant at Kaiga and a Sea Bird Naval base at Karwar would also prove to be very much beneficial to Goa; the former providing the power-starved state with electricity, while the later accommodating Naval bases presently located in Goa. "The Konkani protagonist, late Ravindra Kelekar had time and again made a demand that the government should try to create a Greater Goa with the inclusion of the Konkani-speaking areas from Karnataka in Goa," he recalled.

Speaking further, Mr Alemao said that he has been clear about his stand on the issue, while his rivals - Mr Luizinho Faleiro and the South Goa MP, Mr Francisco Sardinha have always opposed him on this issue. "Besides sharing Goan language and culture, the two talukas are rich in flora and fauna, and furthermore have immense tourism potentials, which could significantly boost Goa’s economy," Mr Alemao concluded.