MARGAO
Goans Against CRZ18 has condemned the statement made by MLA Alina Saldanha on the CRZ issue and its impact on fishermen, claiming that it was during Alina’s stint as the Environment Minister that the CRZ11 notification had come into force.
Kennedy Afonso pointed out that as per CRZ11, it was clearly stipulated that the state government would formulate the CZMP plans through district committees with fishermen (three on each committee) having representation on these.
“This committee was supposed to identify the houses of the fishing and other coastal communities residing within the 200 meter no-development zone (NDZ) for the purpose of regularising these. This was a good opportunity for Alina to fulfil the wishes of the ramponkars and the dreams of her husband,” he said.
Pointing out that Alina had failed in her capacity to give solace to the fishing community despite being the environment minister, Kennedy demanded to know whether she was only using the
fishermen to further her political career.
“Due to her negligence the fishing community is still suffering. On the contrary, she says Manohar Parrikar will give a presentation on the matter and Goans need not fear,” he said, adding, “When Alina was the environment minister, Parrikar was the CM. Now, he is holding the environment portfolio, but he has been a complete failure on this issue, so much so the NGT has served three deadlines on him to complete the CZMP plans and regularise the houses of fishermen, the latest being August 31, 2018.”
Stating that the people and fishermen of Goa no more trust the two as both have failed to address the prevailing problems, Kennedy demanded that the CZMP plans are in place and a public hearing is held at the earliest.
He announced that GACRZ will hold its seventh protest in the village of Palolem, Canacona, on the August 6, 2018.
