MARGAO: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat called on all his colleague politicians, across partylines, to eschew factionalism and stop bringing hurdles in the way of the state’s progress.

“Let us have a politics of consensus in the interest of the state and the people of Goa. If Goa has to progress there has to be a consensus on many things. There should be total unity cutting across partylines to see that the state prospers and the people prosper,” Mr Kamat said and announced a slew of development works for Margao while speaking at a function held to commemorate his 10 years as a minister.
But, as Thursday was the anniversary of the country’s ‘26/11’ – the day when one year back terrorists struck Mumbai, many of the speakers remembered those brave men who died so that the “lives and property” of the citizens were saved and dwelt on the theme of communal harmony in the state.
The Chief Minister, as part of his development works for Margao announced that “there will an industrial estate for self help groups so that they can sell their goods as well have a place to make them.”
Announcing that it would be mostly near the Kadamba bus stand, he said that there would also be a renewable energy park.
He also said that the plans are ready and the work should start within two months.
He further said that that the tender for underground cabling for Margao was floated on Thursday and a draft plan for a modern inter-state bus terminus in Margao was made ready.
The Chief Minister also announced a Radhabai Vasant Kamat Foundation – the foundation would work for education, health and social issues. A initial corpus fund of Rs 50 lakh will be contributed by the family.
Again stressing on the point that he was successful and people have come to him because he did not play politics of revenge, he said: “My mother always told me not to do wrong. And till date I have not indulged in any politics of revenge. Whenever I feel like taking revenge my mother comes in front of me asking: ‘Is this what I taught you?’”
Earlier, the chief guest and all India Congress committee general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP, Mr B K Hari Prasad began by saluting all the people, especially the police and the NSG who sacrificed their lives to protect the property and life of the people.
“Though Goa is a small state it is jewel in the crown of our country. And this has been said by our party president Ms Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Also Goa has a special place in the heart of the people of India and the world,” he said, appealing to the people and political parties and leaders to see that peace and harmony is taken forward for our children as without peace and harmony no development can take place.
“Goa is the only place where people have strong feelings – nay culture - of live and let live policy. This is the only place that has not been touched by things like naxals,” he said warning that to keep such things out it is not up to the Chief Minister alone but needed the cooperation of the people of the state.
“Wherever there is a problem, wherever there is agony, anywhere in the country let them learn from Goa; that everyone can live in peace,” he argued.
The Speaker, Mr Pratapsingh Rane also began with paying tributes to the people who gave their lives for the Nation. “These types of incidents should not take place. All should be wary to ensure that this does not take place,” he said.
He also raised a very valid point saying that the government should not only protect the rights of Goans but all or brethren from outside the state as they are needed to build roads etc.
However, he cautioned that the schemes like the pension (DSS) should be only for Goans, if not, all money will be spent on them (outsiders).
He also warned “if not, people from all over the country will come. They are our brothers no doubt but their own states should take care of them.”
The GPCC chief, Mr Subash Shirodkar and MP South, Mr Francisco Sardinha spoke about the good work done by Mr Digambar Kamat with Mr Sardinha stressing on his long association with him.
The PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao referring to the peace and communal harmony in Goa said that people from all over the world want to come to Goa because it is a peaceful place and again requested the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik and the Chief Minister to ban the organization that are trying to create fissures in the communal amity of the state.
Ex MP, Mr Ramakant Angle also spoke.
Also present were Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, Power Minister, Mr Aleixo Siqueira, Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’ Souza, Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate, Forest Minister, Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao, Health Minister, Mr Vishwajit Rane, Deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho,   Panchayat Minister, Mr Manohar Azgaokar, and MLAs Mr Francisco Silveira, Mr Pratap Gawas, Mr Agnelo Fernandes, Mr Nilkant Halarnkar and Mr Reginald Lourenco. Also prominent among those present were the MMC chairperson, Mr Savio Coutinho and chairman of Dempo Group of Companies, Mr Shrinivas V Dempo.