the goan I network
margao
Former Paroda Sarpanch Gabriel Fernandes has on Friday demanded action against the stone crusher operated by Seema Dias, the wife of Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, questioning the delay by the GSPCB to initiate action against the crusher.
MLA Clafacio, however, asserted that the matter is sub judice. He further said that the GSPCB had recently conducted a site inspection of the stone crusher in question and wondered why the complainant has come out with his demand for action when the GSPCB is about to give its findings.
Gabriel told the media that action against the stone crusher has been pending since the time NGT had given clearance to GSPCB to initiate action against the stone crusher one year ago. He claimed that the authorities, including the GSPCB have committed contempt of court by not initiating action against the stone crusher. Incidentally, when questioned by the media why he has not filed contempt proceedings against the authorities for dragging its feet, he disclosed plans to file contempt proceedings against the erring authorities.
Gabriel had no answer when questioned why he has not taken up the matter with the Goa Forward president and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai if the authorities have not complied with the directions of the court.
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, however, said there is no truth in the allegations levelled by Gabriel. “The matter is pending with the High Court and I fail to understand why the complainant has gone to the media at a time when the GSPCB had recently conducted an inspection of the stone crusher”, he said.
He further said that Water Resources Department Minister Vinoda Palienkar had announced at the Cuncolim office inauguration of Goa Forward a couple of months that the WRD would lodge a complaint against him, demanding to know whether the WRD has developed cold feet in initiating action against him.
