Calls on gram sabhas to adopt resolutions against housing projects
Justice Ferdino Rebello addressing a meeting of Enough is Enough movement at Colva village on Thursday.
MARGAO
Reminding that youth power has brought political changes in Nepal and Tamil Nadu, retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Ferdino Rebello on Thursday said the people will have to decide in the upcoming Assembly election whether they want Goa of youngsters, who will fight for Goa or pickpockets, who will look after themselves.
He also appealed to the Panchayat gram sabhas to adopt resolutions at their meetings not to grant permissions for housing projects until the High Court disposes of the petitions challenging the controversial Amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act, including section 39-A.
Addressing a meeting of the Enough is Enough movement at Colva on Thursday, Justice Rebello further said the upcoming Assembly election provides a last opportunity for the people to save Goa, its hills and mountains from destruction.
“The Assembly election is scheduled in 2027 or may take place earlier. This is the last opportunity for the people to save Goa, its hills and mountains. People of Goa will have to decide what kind of Goa they want, a Goa of youngsters, who will fight for Goa or a Goa of pickpockets, who will look after themselves. The youth of Nepal and Tamil Nadu have shown by bringing political changes”, he said.
Saying those who have been rejected by the people should sit at home, Rebello said “Let new youth come forward and decide about the future of Goa”.
Incidentally, Justice Rebello said the Opposition have supported the Enough for Enough movement, but said “that does not mean they can take us for granted”.
Saying that the gram sabhas have absolute rights, Justice Rebello said no mega housing projects can come under the amended TCP Act if the gram sabha adopts resolutions barring permissions to mega projects pending the disposal of the petitions in the High Court.
“How long will the people of Goa suffer from the changing demography of the state? How much more will the people suffer because of the casinos”, he questioned, while urging the people of Goa to bring changes in the 2027 election.
In his address, former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes lamented that the opposition is not showing interest in the Enough is Enough Movement. “The enough is enough movement should have the support of everybody. The ruling will not come since they will be under instructions from the party bosses. But, the opposition is also not showing interest in the movement”, he sadi.
Enough is Enough movement Salcete Coordinator Serafino Cota underscored the need for the people to support the movement to bring pressure on the government to scrap the controversial TCP Amendments.
