VASCO
Two fishing bodies have criticised the Mormugao Port Trust for lack of proper arrangements at the venue during the public hearing on Friday.
Those present at the venue said neither did MPT make arrangements for food nor was there a lunch break for the audience. Fishermen claimed that several people in the audience had to go hungry till Friday evening, but they stayed back to oppose the proposed expansion projects of MPT.
Speaking to reporters, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) General Secretary Olencio Simoes said they had informed the Collector’s office that the venue for the public hearing be changed and shifted to nearer location to MPT like Tilak Maidan.
“The place is in the heart of the city and also has several restaurants and shops in case people need food and water. The place here (Sports Authority of Goa ground at Chicalim) has no arrangements for food and there are no establishments to buy any food and refreshments,” said
Simoes.
Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Cooperative Society Limited (OCFCOCSL) President Custodio D’Souza said during the last public hearing at Tilak Maidan , the presiding officer had ensured there was a lunch break and had even sent participants and audience for lunch and had a dedicated lunch break time during the public hearing.
“The presiding officers’ panel present here at the public hearing on Friday did not give a lunch break. This is a deliberate attempt to ensure participants and audience were left hungry or forced to go out during the hearing for lunch.”
“It was 5.30 pm on Friday and when it started raining, but the collector wanted to continue the hearing. They are harassing people. They have kept the audience hungry. All equipment like the sound system were covered with tarpaulin while we were getting wet and taking shelter under chairs,” said D’Souza.
He claimed a plain cloth had covered the top of the pandal and there was no plastic. “It shows the lackadaisical attitude MPT who have not even put a tarpaulin on the top though they were the ones who sent warning signals of wind and light showers,” D’Souza added.
