MARGAO
Demanding that the government immediately scrap the controversial marina project proposed at Nauxim, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Wednesday urged the Goa government to adopt a resolution to restrict the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Port Authority to the port limits.
The South Goa MP also opposed the one lakh fee levied on hotels and private properties for hosting wedding and events.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the MP reminded that the BJP government during the previous term had stopped the Marina from coming up a Nauxim.
“Now the controversial project is coming back at the same place. I fail to understand why the government is hell bent in implementing the project when it would affect the environment as well as the lives and livelihoods of the local people”, he said.
He added: “When the Marina starts operating, it would disturb the entire area, destroying the rich marine resources which is tapped by the local residents to eke their livelihood,. The discharge of oil by the boats will cause pollution and destruction of the environment”.
Sardinha said the time has come for the government to restrict the limits of the Mormugao Port Authority to the port limits.
“We cannot accept the jurisdiction of the MPA extending right up to Betul and the Zuari river and beyond. The government should adopt a resolution and send the same to the Centre”, he added.
Welcoming the raids conducted by the officials on illegal sand mining, Sardinha, however demanded that the government should immediately allot places in the rivers for legal sand extraction.”Unless the government earmark the sites for sand extraction, illegal mining will continue, which only benefit the corrupt officials”, he added.
Reminding that the country is observing Unity Week, the Congress recalled the sacrifices made by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the work carried out by a tall leader like Sardar Vallabh Patel.
