Taking exception to the statement of Manohar Ajgaonkar, Goa Tourism Minister, who has announced a ban on the entry of the Lambani community in Goa, M.B. Patil, district in-charge and Water Resources Minister, has said that the Congress government has taken serious note of the matter.
Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, he said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would call on his Goa counterpart Manohar Parrikar and ask him to not let his Cabinet members issue such statements.
‘Against basic rights’
“No State can ban the entry of a particular community as this is against the fundamental rights of citizens. The State government has taken the matter seriously and urged the Goa government to desist from making such controversial statements. Such statements would only create conflict between two States,” Mr. Patil said.
He went on to add, “If the Goa government continues to maintain such a hostile attitude, then the Karnataka government would be compelled to take a harsh decision. The Goa government must remember that Karnataka supplies a large quantum of fruits, vegetables and other consumable products to Goa which we may have to stop transporting,” Mr. Patil said.