MARGAO
Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco has said the State Government is continuing its confrontational stance and hell bent on stifling people’s right of speech and expression regarding the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).
Raising his protest on the notification issued for the hearing of the CZMP, Reginaldo questioned whether the stipulation of “10.00 am onwards till the completion of hearing” is clearly designed to cause inconvenience and trouble to the participants.
“What does 10:00 am onwards mean? Does it mean that the hearing continues after sunset and through the night? There ought to be a definite timeline for the public hearing to end or adjourn at a particular time on that day, and continue on the next day if required.
Let us not forget that the public hearing will be attended by women and elderly people who are also “stakeholders” and representing myriad groups including fisher and coastal communities. Does it mean that we will allow our women, young girls and senior citizens to attend the late-night meetings”, he questioned.
He also raised his strong objection to the prohibition of “political criticism of any nature” in the speeches. “GCZMA, as a neutral and independent body, should stay away from dictating such things. Let us not forget that CZMP for Goa was to be finalised in January 2013 and that there has been a BJP-led Government in Goa since March 2012. The process of preparation of the CZMP is very much relevant to the issues at the public hearing”, he said.
He hoped the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ensures are free, fair, meaningful and transparent public hearing of a plan that affects over 80 percent of Goans and their generations to come.
