PANAJI
Citing ‘harassment’ by the local Naval authorities in Goa related to issuing development and construction NOCs in the defence buffer zone in Vasco, the State government has urged the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to downsize the buffer zone around the naval base from 500 meters to 50 metres distance from the naval compound.
Currently as per Central government order, it is mandatory to get permission from the naval authorities to construct any structure within 500 metres of a naval base.
State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Friday met Singh in New Delhi and briefed him about the issues faced by people from Vasco, which is located adjacent to the INS Hansa naval base. He informed the Union Minister about the trouble and harassment meted out to the locals by naval authorities for granting NOC for construction activities. “We have suggested that the buffer zone of 50 metres be notified,” Godinho told the media.
The Minister said that Rajnath Singh has assured to hold a joint meeting with the Navy Chief and resolve the issue at the earliest.
Several permits for constructions have been stalled, as the Naval authorities were delaying their permission without any reason, Godinho claimed.
During the recently concluded Monsoon session of the State Assembly, BJP MLAs from Mormugao, Krishna Salkar and Sankalp Amonkar had urged the State government to petition the Union Defence Ministry seeking an exemption for Goa from the order.
They had informed the House, how the people are suffering and naval authorities are purposely delaying or denying permissions for various projects.
