Residents of the controversial hutments/structures earmarked for demolition at Katem-Baina beach said the government should have rehabilitated them before issuing the final demolition order.
VASCO
Speaking to The Goan, the residents said they had approached the court and were hopeful of getting relief by rehabilitating them to an alternate site. They said they were ready even to pay the amount of the house in a phased manner. “Our children are studying here and we even have all government documents. Suddenly going back to our native place will be difficult as studies of our children will be hampered and they will not be comfortable there,” said a resident.
Carridade Pereira, leader of the fishing community, said fishermen are meant to stay close to the sea to venture out at sea for fishing at any time. “We had requested the government to rehabilitate us at an open place near the sewerage treatment plant at Baina and the site was also shown to then fisheries minister Avertano Furtado,” said Pereira.
“Furtado had assured to help us after consulting then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, but things did not materialise as Furtado lost the election,” he added. “We request Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to allot us plots near the sewerage treatment plant at Baina and we are ready to construct houses at our own cost,” said Pereira.
