Two days ago, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo visited the Anjuna coastal belt to see the locals being affected in their settlement and businesses on CRZ land. The issue was the demolition of coastal settlements and evacuation after an order was passed by the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court to seal the restaurants and businesses carried out in the Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt. The issue is whether the land comes under CRZ.
Meanwhile, RG party leader Manoj Parab intervened with him and tried to discuss the POGO bill, which was presented but not passed in the assembly. The argument was over the land issue being sold to buyers from other states and the lack of control over local land grabbing issues. However, the local MLA said his visit to the area was to protect local houses and businesses along the coastal area being affected due to the CRZ issue.
It’s a constitutional right to move and settle anywhere in India, and Goa is part of India. As per construction, Goa cannot be separated from the same; however, the state can protect agricultural land from being sold. In Goa, we have businesses by locals and outsiders along the coastal belt, and there are many houses along the belt. It’s now time to see if the same comes under CRZ and then take action to protect them and consider them under CRZ-II.
