PANAJI
Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has said that the exchange of correspondence with the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) to take forward the proposal to build a Rs 23 crore new fishing jetty at Vasco.
Halarnkar was responding to the discussion on a private member's resolution moved by Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar seeking protection for traditional fishermen from threats due to rapid urbanisation and Port expansion.
Earlier Salkar expressed fear that traditional access to fishing rights, livelihood and homes of these communities are being threatened by the rapidly increasing urbanisation, environmental degradation and in Vasco the Port expansion work.
Salkar got support from several other members who batted for the traditional fishing communities, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Michael Lobo among others.
Alemao raised the issue of Port expansion plan by MPA and also the latter's controversial jurisdiction over rivers and much beyond the port's operational area which he said is threatening the rights of access of these traditional fishermen and local communities.
"The MPA is behaving like a State within the State. Even MLAs are being denied access. They are doing 'dadagiri'," Alemao said.
He also raised the issue of MPA's plans to dredge the river which he said will be damaging to the biodiversity and marine life.
Salkar later withdrew the resolution after Halarnkar and also Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured that the modalities and discussions with the MPA will be expedited.
