the goan I network
MARGAO
A broad consensus has emerged in the Congress party against the draft CRZ notification, but the party leadership has decided to obtain more inputs, including feedback from experts and people directly affected by the draft CRZ before unveiling its official stand on the controversial issue.
As many as five MLAs including Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar, Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa attended a meeting called by GPCC chief Girish Chodankar along with the two district chief Joe Dias and Vijai Bhike to deliberate on the contentious issue and arrive at a decision. The meeting was also attended by party leaders Daya Pagi, who was invited for the meeting. The meeting, however, could not be attended by Leader of the Opposition Babu Kavlekar, former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro and Francis Silveira due to their preoccupation.
While Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco was the most vocal amongst the lot, who maintained that the draft CRZ will spell doom for the fishermen community as well as the tourism in general. Reginaldo stated that the rising sea waters has rendered the High Tide Line irrelevant, adding that if the draft CRZ is notified, constructions will come up right inside the sea.
The GPCC chief told The Goan after the meeting that a broad consensus has emerged in the party that the Congress should oppose the draft CRZ notification. He, however, said that as a matter of abundant precaution, the party has decided to obtain inputs from experts working in the CRZ field and also interact with the people inhabiting the coastal area to ascertain their views before the party takes a final decision. “Those who attended the meeting conveyed their views opposing the draft notification. However, MLA Subhash Shirodkar suggested the party also obtain inputs from the experts so that the Congress is not accused for opposing the CRZ notification just for the sake of opposition,” Girish said, adding that the party will initiate the process of seeking the view of experts and people who matter.
