OLD GOA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) officials reached late at the inspection of violations undertaken in khazan land of Morombi-O-Pequeno, Merces.
The time of the inspection was slated at 11 am with complainants Diana Tavares of Concerned Citizens of Goa and members of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) along with Merces panchayat remaining present at the site well in advance.
However, till 11.45 am there was no sign of the GCZMA officials following which RGP members Ajay Kholkar, Vishvesh Naik, Rick Mascarenhas and others went to the GCZMA office at Patto-Panaji to inquire about the details.
However, once in the office they were told that the GCZMA officials have already reached the site and conducting inspection.
When RGP members and Tavares reached the site, the inspection was already completed in their absence and a report was also prepared.
However, Tavares and RGP’s Kholkar objected to the report in which it was mentioned that the complainants could not be contacted following which the GCZMA officials were asked to change the report.
Later, speaking to The Goan, Tavares highlighted the importance of the GCZMA inspection as she said that the authority has more powers than any other authority to act on violations in the khazan like mud filling in the rivulet, dumping of debris and garbage, etc.
“If the GCZMA doesn’t act, then we have the opportunity to approach the NGT for redressal due to which the inspection report is of utmost importance,” Tavares pointed out, while adding that they were present since 10.45 am waiting for the GCZMA officials to turn up.
“However till 11.45 am, as there was no signs of them we dispersed from the site,” Tavares added while also stating that it was wrong on part of the officials to record in the report that the complainants were not contactable.
RGP’s Ajay Kholkar also concurred with Tavares and informed that he, in fact, called up the GCZMA member secretary and also left a WhatsApp message but there was no reply.
“At 11.45 am, we went to the GCZMA office and there we were told that the officials had reached the site,” Kholkar informed and added that by the time they reached back at the site the inspection was already done in their absence and a report prepared in which it was stated that the complainants were not contactable.
“We objected to the report as it tried to blame us when we were present at the designated time,” Kholkar stated while adding that the GCZMA should now see to it that the land is restored to its original state.
