PM 'positive' towards Goa's demands, claims Manohar Parrikar

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is back from the national capital after meeting the Prime Minister, said here today that the latter is positive about a financial package for people affected by closure of mining.

Addressing a press conference, Parrikar claimed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was "sympathetic" towards the demand for a financial package for those affected by closure of the mining industry.

He claimed the PM's "body language" was "positive" when the delegation discussed the demands with him.

"However, he asked us to discuss the demand with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. He also said the Centre's financial position is weak to give such package," the Goa chief minister said.

A Parrikar-led government delegation had met the PM on Wednesday evening demanding special status to Goa, besides a financial package worth Rs 3,000 crore for those affected due to the ban on the mining industry.

Goa had also asked for powers to regulate the sale of land in the state as a part of the "special status".