the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) has said it is only fair to maintain the status quo and that Goa continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the Pune NGT if the state government does not feel that the judicial body of the NGT merits a circuit bench in Goa.
GFDO also remindws the Govt that harassing people of Goa in this manner, and virtually denying them means of redressal for all practical purposes, can certainly not be construed as "Goenkarponn" which this Government
has been tom tomming loudly and vociferously.
"The Government's affidavit to the High Court proposing to shift the territorial jurisdiction of the NGT in respect to the state of Goa to New Delhi, primarily because "Delhi is vastly better connected to Goa via air," is shocking and ridiculous besides displaying its innate arrogance and contempt for the sentiments of the people of Goa and their accessibility to the NGT.
It also confirms the growing suspicion in the minds of Goans that this government functions in a dictatorial manner and is intolerant to dissent," GFDO convenor Fr Eremito Rebello said.
He recalled that the stated objective in instituting the NGT, was to provide a specialized forum for effective and speedy disposal of cases pertaining to environment.
protection, conservation of forests and for seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due to violation of environmental laws or conditions specified while granting permissions
"It is a sad commentary on the attitude of the Government of Goa, that while grass-root Goans show no hesitation in putting themselves to great inconvenience and discomfort by making innumerable trips to the Pune NGT at their own cost to plead their cases just for love of their land, the State government on the other hand, riding on the back of vast administrative machinery and taxpayers hard earned money, expresses difficulty because of so called deficiencies in Pune's connectivity to Goa," he said, adding "If this is so, then it would make better sense for the Government to stop allegedly violating environmental laws and devastating Goa's sensitive land and ecology through their contentious projects and vested bias, so that it would not be compelled to make frequent trips to Pune or Delhi as respondents in the very many environmental violations it stands accused of".
"The Government's affidavit to the High Court proposing to shift the territorial jurisdiction of the NGT in respect to the state of Goa to New Delhi, primarily because "Delhi is vastly better connected to Goa via air," is shocking and ridiculous besides displaying its innate arrogance and contempt for the sentiments of the people of Goa and their accessibility to the NGT.
It also confirms the growing suspicion in the minds of Goans that this government functions in a dictatorial manner and is intolerant to dissent," GFDO convenor Fr Eremito Rebello said.
He recalled that the stated objective in instituting the NGT, was to provide a specialized forum for effective and speedy disposal of cases pertaining to environment.
protection, conservation of forests and for seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due to violation of environmental laws or conditions specified while granting permissions
"It is a sad commentary on the attitude of the Government of Goa, that while grass-root Goans show no hesitation in putting themselves to great inconvenience and discomfort by making innumerable trips to the Pune NGT at their own cost to plead their cases just for love of their land, the State government on the other hand, riding on the back of vast administrative machinery and taxpayers hard earned money, expresses difficulty because of so called deficiencies in Pune's connectivity to Goa," he said, adding "If this is so, then it would make better sense for the Government to stop allegedly violating environmental laws and devastating Goa's sensitive land and ecology through their contentious projects and vested bias, so that it would not be compelled to make frequent trips to Pune or Delhi as respondents in the very many environmental violations it stands accused of".
