Not satisfied with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s response in the assembly, the Opposition, led by Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party (GFP) leader Vijai Sardesai, has accused the government of causing a loss of Rs 207 crore with its Mopa airport deal.
Responding to Sardesai’s queries, Sawant, in the house, said that the revenue share for the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, would commence from December 7, 2024, as the Concessionaire Agreement with its promoter GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) has been amended on account of Covid impact.
Sardesai has, however, questioned the move, citing the GGIAL’s projected gross revenue for 2024-25 is Rs 960 crore.
SIX-MONTH REVENUE HOLIDAY ANTI-GOAN: SARDESAI
According to Sardesai, the state was originally supposed to start receiving revenue share from May 31, 2024. However, a cabinet decision pushed this date to December 7, 2024.
He argued that this extension, attributed to only 20 days of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, is unjustifiable and detrimental to Goa’s finances. Sardesai highlighted that the government was expected to collect 37% of revenue from GGIAL monthly, approximately Rs 18 crore, which will now be forfeited until December 2024.
Sardesai condemned the extension of GGIAL’s revenue holiday period, labeling it “anti-Goan” and vowing to challenge the decision. He accused Sawant of being the first Chief Minister in the country to cause such a significant loss to the state exchequer through a revenue holiday.
GREEN RULES, COMPENSATION
The opposition has also criticised the government for failing to ensure environment rule compliance by GGIAL.
Sardesai noted that the GGIAL had not yet established the required green belt around the airport, as mandated by the Supreme Court in January 2020. Sawant responded that the GGIAL had requested more time to develop the green belt, however, Sardesai has threatened to move court.
As Sardesai questioned the pending compensation for landowners affected by the Mopa airport project, Sawant said it was pending only for those who had not submitted the necessary documents. The state government had acquired 2,100 acres in Pernem taluka.
AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar has also slammed Sawant saying: “The operation of this airport was halted for merely 20 days of the pandemic. But for those 20 days, the government has granted them concession for six months. Giving such revenue holiday to a private company is not acceptable. This question was asked to the CM in the assembly. While answering it, he said the timeframe is not six months, it is less than that, which means the state is agreeing that they gave the concession to the company. How can the CM and his cabinet give away money, which belongs to people of Goa, to a private company?”
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