VASCO
The public hearing for the proposed expansion of Berths 5A and 6A at the Tilak Maidan concluded on Saturday, amid strong protests to MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar’s statements that many people from outside Vasco not connected to coal handling operations at the port were taking centrestage and forcefully demanding stoppage of cargo handling activity.
The two other public hearings on the deepening of approach channel and inner basin for cape-sized vessels as well as on work to re-develop Berths 8, 9 and barge berths for multi-cargo activity could not conclude till 10 pm on Saturday and will continue on May 2.
Savio Correia, Dinesh Dias, Jose Philip D’Souza and other speakers wanted to take to the podium to raise the point of order and to condemn Jeyakumar’s statements, while also seeking an unconditional apology from him.
Presiding Officer and Collector South Goa Swapnil Naik, however, declined to pay heed to their requests and continued the hearing by allotting a time limit of five minutes to each of the remaining speakers.
As the proceedings continued, every speaker was allotted five minutes to speak and the microphone was switched off if the speaker exceeded the time limit.
Naik also directed the police to cordon off the area and to prevent speakers from going to the podium without his permission.
Undeterred, people started shouting at the hearing to ensure that their voices were heard and urged Naik to direct Jeyakumar to withdraw his statement and tender an unconditional apology.
“It is a slap on the face of every Goan, as everyone is an affected person. We Goans are united and are fighting for a just cause,” said Dinesh Dias.
Savio Correia said the enhancement of berths, dredging and developments of berth 7 and 8 was not limited to only Vasco, but to the entire Goa. “Every Goan has the right to object to the developmental projects of MPT,” said Correia.
“The MPT chairman should immediately withdraw the statement and tender an apology to the Goans as he has hurt our sentiments and feelings,” said Correia.
Naik later directed the police to vacate ‘Goa Against Coal’ Convener Custodio D’Souza outside the podium area, as his time had exceeded and Naik had refused to allot him more time.
The public hearing convened on the proposed expansion of Berths 5A and 6A to enhance coal handling activities finally ended after lunch and the minutes were read out to the people.
