the goan I network
VASCO
Urban Development Minister and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik on Wednesday said he would do everything to safeguard the livelihood of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) employees who run the risk of losing their jobs due to a ban on cargo in the port.
He was, however, quick to point out that he did not, in any way, support pollution in the port town and insisted that efforts must be made to curb pollution.
Naik was speaking to reporters after hundreds of MPT employees affiliated to the Goa Port and Dock Employees Union (GPADEU) and Mormugao Port Railway Workers Union (MPRWU) met the minister and submitted a memorandum urging his intervention to resume coal handling operations at MPT.
They also requested him to intervene in dispensing with the restriction of wind speed limit of 10 kmph imposed on companies for coal handling operation by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), renewal of consent to operate and restore coal handling operations to its original sanctioned capacity of 5.5 million tons per annum and to permit construction of the longitudinal covered shade (dome) which would confine coal handling operation.
Naik told reporters that a ban on a cargo was not a solution, but adopting measures to control pollution was any day a better option to address the issue.
“The MPT employees are agitating against these NGOs and I have requested them not to fight. But a message has to be passed that so many employees, their dependents and pensioners of MPT could get severely affected with this ban,” said Naik.
“No one wants pollution but if pollution can be controlled and business can continue, then MPT will get revenue, employees will get salaries and former employees will get their pensions. The situation is such that many employees can be forced to go home if there is no business at the MPT,” said the minister.
Insisting that his stand is clear that there should be no pollution anywhere, the minister said there should be measures to control pollution.
“The MPT employee strength is come down from 6,000 to 1,650 and after the mining ban, people are struggling for their livelihood. However, many people are still working at MPT because of coal handling units. I will always strive to ensure the livelihood of MPT employees, no matter what and people can approach me about measures to control pollution measures,” added Naik.
Make arrangements for MPT employees, before seeking cargo ban: Naik to NGOs
VASCO: Accusing some NGOs of targeting companies for personal interest, Urban Development Minister Milind Naik challenged those NGOs to make alternate arrangements for the livelihood of MPT employees before targeting cargo cargo in the port.
“There are thousands of people directly and indirectly dependent on coal handling operations in this constituency alone and I am not talking about people from all over Goa.”
“I will get all these people and address a press conference to counter the claims of some NGOs with vested interest and tell them to make alternate arrangements of livelihood of all these thousands of genuine people before demanding a ban on any cargo.”
“Even the speed of 10 km per hour as set by the GSPCB is not feasible for business and each time there is a small wind, work will be stopped and these employees will come on the road in agitation again.”
“If there is so much pollution, how many people from this constituency have participated in agitations against pollution? Just because a few people have formed NGOs to make a noise for personal interest, livelihoods cannot be at stake.”
The minister said some NGOs had begun taking up the issue without meeting the affected workers and understanding the issue.
“Political parties in the opposition have subsequently created an issue without understanding that this move could cost the livelihood of thousands of people in the port,” Naik added.
