the goan I network
MARGAO
Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai on Thursday assured Cutbona Boat Owners that he would convene a meeting of the stakeholders on Monday to address the host of issues plaguing the Cutbona jetty.
The Agriculture Minister was invited to the Cutbona fishing jetty by the Cutbona Boat Owners Union ahead of the new fishing season beginning August 1.
“I can assure you that it would be the endeavor of this government to address the issues affecting the Cutbona jetty,” Sardesai told the boat owners while assuring them that any government officer, including the police found meting out harassment would be taken to task.
In his address, Cutbona Boat Owners Union President Savio D’Silva drew attention of the Agriculture Minister to the taking over of the Cutbona fishing jetty by the Fisheries department, even as he made a plea to maintain the status quo and avert a law and order problem.
Savio also raised the issue over the inordinate delay by the fisheries department to transfer the licenses, and the department’s order banning more than two fishing boats in a family, while allowing big boat owners to own a fleet of vessels.
Boat owner John Barretto made a plea for repair and expansion of the jetty road.
“The road has showed signs of sinking at some places,” he said, while calling for the early completion of the jetty work and adequate provision for water supply to the jetty.
Boat owner Elvis Gomes called for a smooth navigation channel at the mouth of River Sal at Betul, and requested the Minister to take up work on the retaining wall at the river mouth, while another representative asked for the demarcation of a small portion of the Cutbona jetty for traditional fishermen.
