the goan I network
MARGAO
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias on Saturday welcomed the decision of the Investment Promotion Board to reject the new fishmeal plant at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
“The IPB decision rejecting the proposal to set up the plant at Cuncolim is a victory for me as well as the people of Cuncolim,” the MLA told The Goan on Saturday.
Clafacio pointed out that he had written a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar earlier this month with a plea not to grant permission to
any more fishmeal plants in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate as people of the surrounding areas had raised apprehensions regarding the functioning of such plants in a haphazard manner.
He said the people of Cuncolim are strongly opposed to the setting up of fishmeal plants given the polluting nature of these factories.
The Cuncolim MLA had written the letter to the Chief Minister days after Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao had in his letter to the CM had rooted for recycling-based fishmeal processing unit, Viva Marine Impex, saying the project is pollution free and will benefit Goan fishermen.
Replying to a question, the Cuncolim MLA said he is all for the closure of the lone fishmeal plant at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate if it is found to be polluting.
“The Cuncolim Municipal Council should
have taken a decision on the closure of the existing fishmeal plant as people have been complaining of pollution. I will take up the issue at the highest level,” Claciao assured.
