GOA (17-Jan-2016): The Goenchi Mati Movement (GMM) welcomes the support and endorsement by the Go Su-Raj Party (GSRP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the Goenchi Mati Manifesto, which rests on the fundamental principle that the minerals belong to the people, our children and future generations of Goa. The support from GSRP and AAP symbolizes courageous commitment to be responsible custodians and protect them for generations to come.
We call upon all citizens to ask aspirants to the Goa Assembly and other political parties to endorse and support our manifesto, and to pledge to implement it faithfully. Minerals are our shared inheritance and it is our duty to ensure that we protect our inheritance for future generations. Only if we do that, may we consume the fruit. Any loss is a loss to our children and all future generations for Goa.
Claude Alvares said: “It is a significant step that two political parties in the fray in the February 4 election have written to the GMM accepting the Goenchi Mati proposals for mining. This is a sea change in the way politicians are now seeing mineral resources, that they do not belong to mining lease-holders or the government, but to the people of the state, poor and rich. It's about time law and political activity reflects this basic constitutional promise.”
Rahul Basu remarked: “It is positive that two parties support the Goenchi Mati Movement. I hope other parties and candidates also agree not to consume or fritter away what is rightfully our children’s inheritance.”
The Goenchi Mati Movement is a single issue movement which is by policy not aligned with political parties. GMM has asked parties to endorse and incorporate the Goenchi Mati Manifesto into their manifestos for the Goa Assembly elections on Feb 4. The Goenchi Mati Manifesto is available at goenchimati.org/manifesto. It is available in English, with translations into Konkani (Devnagari, Romi), Marathi, Hi