the goan I network
VASCO
Reacting to the NGT order against the 121 illegal structures built in the no-development zone at Baina beach, Mormugao Congress leader Sankalp Amonkar on Sunday evening said that the government had been targeting structures in Baina as they were dedicated voters of the Congress Party.
Speaking to reporters, Amonkar said, that according to him the order was applicable for only 22 structures while the case of the remaining houses were still ongoing.
“Two groups filed two different cases in the NGT against the demolition notices. One group was of 22 houses against which an order was passed on Saturday. However, cases of the remaining houses is still ongoing,” said Amonkar.
Amonkar said that the central government had already proposed and come with new norms for CRZ where it was reduced to 50 mtrs and the same should be considered for the structures at Baina Beach where people had been staying for a long time.
“When a highway is passing near these structures, how can CRZ violations be considered for these structures. The government must consider the plight of the fishermen who have been staying here for many years. They have to be rehabilitated on humanitarian grounds,” demanded Amonkar.
“This has become a political battle. For the last ten years, the government has been trying to demolish these houses because they feel that the people are strong supporters and voters of the Congress Party. We can see for the last 7 to 8 years, how many houses have been demolished. This is only because the government thinks that the residents are a strong vote bank of the Congress Party,” said Amonkar adding that the government should not go ahead with demolition yet as new CRZ norms of 50 mtrs can be applicable to the structures which are within permissible limits.
“Earlier when houses in Baina were demolished for the highway, the Congress government had at least rehabilitated the residents. The BJP government should also do the same,” he added.
