MARGAO
Around 500 registrations already and the exercise will continue even on the day of non-stop public hearing “ the July 8 event on Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) is heading to break all records of its kind.
Assuming that even if 500 people turn up for the hearing on July 8 and take the 15 minute time-frame to speak at the hearing, sources say the hearing may go on non-stop for more than five days.
Indeed, the July 8 CZMP public hearing may break all previous records on public hearings if the registered people turn up and speak within the prescribed time limit.
In fact, officials pointed out that with four speakers expected to consume an hour, assuming they speak for 15 minutes allotted time, the hearing may go on non-stop for over five days.
Officials bracing up for the non-stop public hearing, however, said it all depends on the number of people, who make it to the public hearing and how many of them would wait till midnight and in the wee hours of the morning, waiting for their turn to speak on the CZMP.
“From our side, we are all bracing up and putting the logistics in place. We are gearing up for minimum two days of continuous hearing. If the people consume their allotted time of 15 minutes and wait for their turn at any hour of the day and night to speak on the plan, it may take more than three days to complete the hearing process”, remarked Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) Member Secretary, Dashrath Redkar.
Officer on Special duty (OSD) to the Department of Environment, Sanjeev Joglekar said the department will be deploying staff and officials in shifts as the hearing is going to take place non-stop.
He recalled that a non-stop public hearing had taken place at Amona in North Goa in a mining matter couple of years ago, which had ended only in the wee hours of the next day.
Sources in the South Goa district administration informed that the authorities will also make provision for deployment of staff for duty for the hearing in shifts. “Given that 500 persons have so far registered for the public hearing and spot registrations will be permitted at the venue, we have to make the necessary arrangements for staffers to work in shifts at least for two days”, remarked an official.
