VASCO
A delegation of Goa Forward Party (GFP) leaders along with shack owners and anti-coal activists met Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Chairman Dr N Vinod Kumar over various issues pertaining to the port.
GFP Vice President Durgadas Kamat said the MPA chairman had been very welcoming and assured to take steps to reduce coal pollution during cargo handling operations.
"Besides our leaders, we had anti-coal activists, fishermen and a leader of the shack owners in the delegation and we submitted a detailed memorandum along with a letter written by our Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai,” said Kamat.
“As a constructive opposition, we have not demanded immediate stoppage of coal but requested the MPA to shut down coal handling gradually while increasing cruise tourism activity on the other side.”
“We pointed out the issue of rising coal pollution and he has asked us if we have any data which we will submit along with a compiled report to him in a few days. We have also requested him to increase cruise tourism which will boost the economy while also providing several job opportunities and increase business opportunities to taxi operators and other allied stakeholders," said Kamat.
Kamat said several shack owners from Baina and areas like Velsao had to pay additional fees to MPA.
"The shack owners are paying around Rs 2 lakh to the State government to set up shacks across Goa but in this area, the shack owners have to pay additional amount of Rs 1.60 lakh to MPA since the MPA claims it is their jurisdiction.”
“We also have fishermen with us who say that they require MPA permission for any repair or other works on their houses though no one knows about the areas like under MPA Jurisdiction. We have now requested the MPA to point out their jurisdiction on website so that we can take further steps accordingly," said Kamat.
"The MPA Chairman has said he is open to our suggestion and he will study the issue because port cannot be stopped immediately. The MPA chairman also said the rates for shack operators have been decided by the ministry and we have asked him to reply to our letter so that we can take it with Shripad Naik, who is the Union Minister of State for shipping.”
Kamat said the MPA chairman had told them that coal handling units are permitted in the MPA only if they have permissions from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
“This implies that Goa Government is responsible for the coal handling. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must give us clarification on the pollution issue," said Kamat.
GFP Vice President Durgadas Kamat said the MPA chairman had been very welcoming and assured to take steps to reduce coal pollution during cargo handling operations.
"Besides our leaders, we had anti-coal activists, fishermen and a leader of the shack owners in the delegation and we submitted a detailed memorandum along with a letter written by our Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai,” said Kamat.
“As a constructive opposition, we have not demanded immediate stoppage of coal but requested the MPA to shut down coal handling gradually while increasing cruise tourism activity on the other side.”
“We pointed out the issue of rising coal pollution and he has asked us if we have any data which we will submit along with a compiled report to him in a few days. We have also requested him to increase cruise tourism which will boost the economy while also providing several job opportunities and increase business opportunities to taxi operators and other allied stakeholders," said Kamat.
Kamat said several shack owners from Baina and areas like Velsao had to pay additional fees to MPA.
"The shack owners are paying around Rs 2 lakh to the State government to set up shacks across Goa but in this area, the shack owners have to pay additional amount of Rs 1.60 lakh to MPA since the MPA claims it is their jurisdiction.”
“We also have fishermen with us who say that they require MPA permission for any repair or other works on their houses though no one knows about the areas like under MPA Jurisdiction. We have now requested the MPA to point out their jurisdiction on website so that we can take further steps accordingly," said Kamat.
"The MPA Chairman has said he is open to our suggestion and he will study the issue because port cannot be stopped immediately. The MPA chairman also said the rates for shack operators have been decided by the ministry and we have asked him to reply to our letter so that we can take it with Shripad Naik, who is the Union Minister of State for shipping.”
Kamat said the MPA chairman had told them that coal handling units are permitted in the MPA only if they have permissions from Goa State Pollution Control Board.
“This implies that Goa Government is responsible for the coal handling. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must give us clarification on the pollution issue," said Kamat.
