VASCO
‘Goa against Coal’ (GAC), an umbrella of several anti-coal activists, on Saturday threatened to intensify their agitation on a large scale if the State government approved the enhancement of coal handling offered to the South West Port Ltd (SWPL) by the central government.
Addressing a news conference in Vasco, GAC Convenor Custodio D'Souza, Capt Viriato Fernandes, Nazir Khan, Olencio Simoes, Jayesh Shetgaonkar, Sanjay Redkar and other activists said the MLAs must try to stop coal instead of their present stand of stopping pollution from coal and insisted the government must totally say no coal in Goa for the betterment of the State.
‘EIA REPORT MANIPULATED'
Olencio Simoes said the GAC was formed in 2016 to oppose MPA’s expansion plans and activists had also raised their voices during the public hearing in 2017.
"We strongly condemn the EC offered to handle more coal at MPA and want to inform the government that hundreds of speakers had raised thousands of objections to the plans of expansion and enhancement to coal handling. We want to know on what basis the EC has been granted because we had even written to the MoEF of how the entire EIA report was manipulated.”
“Former CM late Manohar Parrikar had also assured that coal handling would not be increased but the present government is only telling us lies and is exposed. I appeal to MLAs and the government to revoke the EC granted by MoEF to enhance coal handling at MPT because it will spell the doom of Mormugao taluka failing,” said Simoes.
‘MLAS MUST CHANGE STAND’
"Leaders who were opposing coal have become MLAs and have changed their stand from opposing coal to opposing pollution. This is wrong and I request these MLAs to change their stand immediately because coal has destroyed our air and seas as well,” said GAC Convenor Custodio D'Souza.
“Our MLAs must immediately oppose any enhanced coal handling activity. These MLAs who speak of reducing pollution must show how they can control the speed of the wind that causes pollution or show us where there is space to accommodate more coal at these berths.”
“I appeal to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and all MLAs to work on steps to stop coal totally instead of taking steps to reducing pollution, failing which GAC will intensify our agitation.”
“Everyone knows that a small traditional fishing body has stopped the MPA from carrying out dredging by taking them to NGT and courts and we at GAC can go to any extent to stop coal handling in Goa,” said D'Souza.
‘GOA WILL TURN BLACK’
Capt. Viriato Fernandes said Goans have lost the privilege of land, water and air due to coal handling activity.
"Our lands are given for expansion, water is diverted and air is polluted for the coal handling in Goa. This is done for steel plants in North Karnataka which require water, coal which is being sent from Goa. The original occupations of Goa like agriculture are killed, mining has been banned and we will soon lose tourism as Goa turns black because the Government is on a self-destruction path. We appeal to the CM to join hands with us to unitedly fight against coal or else, we won't keep quiet and explore all options including legal options,” said Fernandes.
‘PEOPLE MUST FIGHT AGAINST COAL’
Jayesh Shetgaonkar said enhanced coal handling would never be allowed in the State.
"I want to ask MLA Sankalp Amonkar whether he will have a dome structure from MPT to Mollem which is affected by coal pollution. Amonkar can see the Ammonia Tank but he cannot see the coal next to the tank and I appeal to people to come on the roads in the fight against coal because the MLAs have ditched our mandate," said Shetgaonkar.
