MPT functioning not in interest of Goa or Goans: GRE
Says port trust has no right to sub-lease Goan land to other companies
THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
The Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has expressed displeasure with the dealings of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and alleged that MPT is illegally in possession of the inland and coastal areas of Goa.
“Instead of working in consonance with the State government in the best interest of Goa and the people of Goa, MPT has been functioning as a state within a state with scant regards to the laws and rules of this State,” stated GRE joint general secretary Olencio Simoes in a press note.
'MPT does not even take the mandatory permissions and licenses from the State authorities for their constructions. It does not have any right to lease and sell our land to any company. Therefore, MPT cannot sub-lease property to other companies to build projects like marinas, ferry services, expansion, etc, in the State,' stated Simoes.
GRE president Agnelo Rodrigues stated that the MPT has taken possession of a large chunk of Goa’s land in the Mormugao taluka. While prior to 1964, MPT had only 6,84,706 sqmts of land in its possession, over the years it has taken more and more land and as on date 13,74,757 sqmts of land is in its possession with 5,19,563 sqmts acquired for it between 1971 and 1985.”
“MPT is definitely not working in the interest of Goa and its people, hence we request the current government to not forget their promise made in their manifesto to denotify the MPT jurisdiction over inland and coastal water,” added Rodrigues.
