Slamming members of Opposition for criticising Goa government's decision to classify coconut as a 'palm', Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today said how could those travelling in BMWs and Audis understand the importance of coconut.
"Let them politicise the coconut issue. We have no problem with it. Our focus is on increasing the coconut production in the state. Those moving in Audi and BMW (cars) will not know the importance of coconut," Parsekar told the State Legislative Assembly.
The chief minister was addressing the House in response to the motion moved to congratulate State Agriculture minister Ramesh Tawadkar for winning central government's Krishi Karman award.
Parsekar was referring to the recent 'Maad Yatra' (Coconut Rally) launched by the opposition, led by independent legislator Vijai Sardessai against government's decision to classify coconut as a 'palm'.
Goa government, in the last assembly session held in January, had moved an amendment to the Preservation of Trees Act classifying coconut as 'palm' and not 'tree'.
Various sections, including Opposition parties, have been opposing the reclassification of coconut plant as a palm from tree, fearing that it would result in its large-scale felling.
The chief minister said despite Goa being an agricultural land, the farm sector is neglected since 20 years.
"The educated youths are not interested in farming, leaving the lands barren. However, with recent facilities offered by the government in the form of subsidies and support price, educated youths are slowly getting attracted to farming," Parsekar said.
