Paliencar visits Malim jetty, takes stock of encroachments

the goan I networkrPORVORIM rFisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar on Tuesday visited the Malim Jetty and inspected the shed and 27 stalls constructed by the Mandovi Fishermen Cooperative Society. rDeputy Collector, Mapusa Gourish Shankhwalker rwas present during the inspection. rSpeaking to media persons, Paliencar said the Mandovi Fishermen Cooperative Society has encroached on the property of the Fisheries department and constructed a fishing shed and each of the 27 stalls have been allotted to the vendors on payment of Rs 2 lakh. r“Most of the stalls have been allotted to non-Goans. The Society pays lease rent of Rs 7.42 lakh per year towards Malim Jetty to the government. The Fisheries department has now decided to fence the area occupied illegally by the Mandovi Fishermen Cooperative Society,” he said. r“Survey of this shed area will be carried out next week and fencing will be done. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has given consent for it. Thereafter, the Society will be permitted to do business in the property leased out legally to it,” said Paliencar. r Former chairman of Mandovi Fishermen Cooperative Society, Minino Afonso said if the government feels that the Society has encroached on the land, then it can legalise it and the Society is prepared to pay the required rent for the same. r“The Society has constructed this shed by spending its own money and given it to its members only to sell fish. Though the Society is paying rent of Rs 7.42 lakh every year to the Fisheries department, it does not get any facilities from the department.” r“The Society has to procure 40 water tankers every day to meet their needs. The Fisheries department should redress the grievances of the Society instead of multiplying them. The Fisheries department should resolve this issue by mutual discussion,” rsaid Afonso.