Senior Karnataka Minister R V Deshpande today asked Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to take steps to rehabilitate poor Kannadiga families evicted from Baina beach, south Goa, and those served with eviction notices.
In a letter to Parsekar a day after meeting him at Panaji on the issue, he said Goa government should not proceed with demolition of 205 houses, which are under notice, without rehabilitation of the people.
Similarly, he said, people living in 75 houses demolished in July last year should be rehabilitated and compensation paid as done in the case of 84 families earlier.
"...It is cardinal principle of democratic system that protection and taking care of the people, especially the people belonging to deprived and weaker section, is the duty and responsibility of a democratically-elected government," he said.
"I am confident that you will definitely (put on) hold the demolition of the 205 houses," said Deshpande who was deputed by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hold talks with Parsekar on the eviction and other issues concerning the two neighbouring states.
He said Goa administration had disconnected drinking water and power supply to 205 houses and it should be restored.
The Parsekar government has launched a drive to remove illegal hutments at the beach, which are mostly occupied by people from Karnataka.
Deshpande also maintained that during his interaction with reporters at Panaji, he had not spoken in a threatening tone suggesting retaliatory action against Goans living in the Karnataka.
He said he had been "misquoted" in the PTI report.
Deshpande said he had merely said, in reply to questions, that "Karnataka and Goa relations are very strong; there is a very strong bonding and a good relationship. Lot of Kannadigas are staying here (in Goa). Likewise, 15,000 to 20,000 IT professionals are there in Karnataka and are working."
PTI stands by its report which was based on tape recorded remarks of Deshpande.
Deshpande said "Karnataka is for everybody...." and people from all over the world living in the state would be protected.
