Decision to allow 5-star hotel at Vanxim an imperial one: BMM

| DECEMBER 18, 2015, 12:00 AM IST

Byline: The Goan Network

Pic Credit: Sagun Gawade

Bharat Mukti Morcha has claimed that the state government’s decision to allow a 5-star hotel project at Vanxim island is an imperial one.

Maggie Silveira, president, Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM), said, “This decision is in violation of civil law and canon law. Besides, the land where the project is going to come up is ecologically fragile”. When asked in detail about the nature of land acquired for 5-star project, Silveira said, “These are mud-flats, basically low lying areas, which have mangroves. Survey Number 8, which is shown as hotel project in the Regional Plan 2021, is basically paddy-field”

Silveira further alleged, “There are no records that any member of the Investment Promotion Board has visited Vanxim island to examine ecological status of the place or get to know civil law and canon law frauds involved”. The alleged civil law fraud pertains to violation of Tenancy Act and the alleged canon law fraud is about violation of laws governing church’s property.

BBM maintained that its concern is not just limited to Vanxim island as the state government is meting out same high-handed aggression to people of Bambolim, Sancoale, Nauxim, Cortalim, Agacaim, Siridao, Cacra, Odxel villages where marinas are proposed.

The four people from BBM present at the press conference were Maggie Silveria, Seby Rodrigues, Vishnu Kankonkar and Anand Shirodkar. Of these, only Maggie Silveria belongs to Vanxim island. Seby Rodrigues, who is convenor of BMM’s Goa unit belongs to Siolim. Vishnu Kankonkar is secretary of BBM’s Goa unit and is a fisherman from Bambolim. Anand Shirodkar is from Nestle Contract Workers’ Union and is from Dodamarg.

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