Sanjay Borkar
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 22: Condoling the sad and untimely demise of the minister for environment and forests, Fatorda Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai said that people of Goa had high expectations from him given his background in environment protection and that he was seen as Goa’s Jairam Ramesh after he was given the environment and forest portfolios. 

Sardesai recalled that Mathany always fought for justice to the underprivileged and oppressed sections of society and his relentless fight for the cause of ramponkars and toddy tappers were examples of these.

Vijai credited Mathany for initiating the first people’s agitation in the country against industrial pollution caused by the Zuari Agro Chemicals way back in 1977 and said that the Goa government could do justice to the memory of this illustrious son of the soil by instituting a Green Award in his name.

Sardesai also recalled his meeting with late Tourism Minister just yesterday wherein Vijai had complimented the latter’s recent statement wherein he had declared support for heritage tourism in which the government had expressed readiness to provide grants to those heritage houses which intended to convert to guest houses or hotels.

Sardesai said that his own constituency had a very prominent heritage quarter which needed support for heritage preservation which also was one of the main points included in his people’s manifesto for the elections and for which he was totally committed. 

Vijai hoped that Mathany’s successor would continue with these policies. Sardesai visited the bereaved family in Taleigao to offer condolences in the afternoon.