VASCO
GPCC Vice President Sankalp Amonkar on Tuesday claimed that efforts to grant Blue flag certification for Baina beach is just another attempt by the BJP Government to privatise the beach and demolish houses of fishermen.
“The Congress along with fishermen and locals will not only oppose the Blue Flag certification of Baina beach, but will not allow any contractor to put markings on the beach,” warned Amonkar during a news conference.
"BJP has identified five beaches in Goa for blue flag certification and people are not even aware of the blue flag certification. The Blue Flag certification will restrict locals on the beach and it will be in par with the Jumeirah beach in Dubai, where people have to pay to enter the beach," said Amonkar.
Amonkar claimed that the blue flag certification will be exempted from CRZ and development will be allowed withing 10 mtrs from the High Tide line.
“Traditional fishermen will be displaced and fishermen will not be allowed to get their canoes on the beach. Their houses will also be demolished," said Amonkar.
He claimed that Blue Flag certification would end Ganesh Chaturthi visarjans on the beach, while local businessmen, small vendors and two shacks on the beach would be removed.
“Baina also has sewerage plant just near Baina beach and this plant will have to be removed, leading to the collapse of the sewerage system," said Amonkar.
"The BJP is trying to privatise Baina beach by granting it a Blue Flag status. We have been hearing for the last 20 years that Baina beach would be beautified. But till date, it is incomplete and when GTDC took the first phase, crores of rupees were wasted and the second phase is not taken up as yet,” said Amonkar.
