Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat has said his government has plans for the progress of the state, but he won’t allow development at the cost of the people.
Kamat, who visited the
DNA office, said his government would protect the original lands of the people of the state, which are under threat.
“One of our aims is to protect Goa and retain its original look and feel. We have limited land and a lot of it is rural and pristine, which people want to protect,” Kamat, whose government completed five years, said, adding that he also wants Goa to attract more investment. “We want our state to be competitive and we are making efforts for it.”
About outsiders buying lands in Goa, Kamat said if Goans want to maintain the originality, they will have to be careful. “We have to protect our own homes because ultimately Goans are selling their lands for more money. There are many tourists who have bought old houses in north Goa and have married Goan women,” said Kamat.
However, Kamat denied the Russian mafia had invested in Goa. “Many Russians have invested and we have given their details to the Enforcement Directorate that will soon give a report on the issue. But there is no report of the Russian mafia investing in Goa,” said Kamat.
