MARGAO
Intensifying the ongoing agitation against turning Goa into a coal hub, Goyant Kollso Naka on Friday staged a demonstration in front of the Margao branch of the State Bank of India and requested the branch manager to drop the proposal to fund the Australian coal mine project of Adani group.
GKN activists warned that failure to reject the proposal to fund the coal mines of Adani group in Australia will force the people to reconsider their deposits and investments in SBI and its associates.
Armed with placards opposing SBI funding for the Adani group for the Australian coal mine project, GKN activists shouted slogans outside the SBI Margao branch with a request to drop the proposal.
GKN Convenor Antonio D’Silva said the NGO lodged its strong protest against the proposal being considered by the State Bank of India to fund the Australian project of Adani Group.
In a letter addressed to the branch manager, GKN said “in the face of the climate crisis, this is akin to funding the destruction of our planet and the extinction of our own species. Goa is under severe threat due to this proposed coal mine since the coal is destined to be handled and transported through Goa, destroying our State and its economies.”
While requesting the branch to forward its letter to the SBI bank management, the NGO warned that failure to reject the proposal to fund the coal mines of Adani Group in Australia will force the people to reconsider their deposits and investments in SBI and its associates.
Co-convenor Abhijit Prahudesai explained to the media that people of Goa and may be across the country will reconsider keeping deposits with the bank if the SBI is funding ecologically and environmentally disastrous projects.
A youngster, Shristhi Prabhudesai, said she along with other children are participating in the protests outside the SBI bank to send a message that the bank should not fund projects which are damaging to the environment.
