MARGAO: A group of angry people demanded the scrapping of the public hearing for finalization of the Coastal Zone Management Plan held on July 8 at Margao. They criticised the government authorities for concluding the public hearing at the midnight, despite assurance by the South Goa District Collector that they would get a chance to speak the next day (July 9).
On Friday, a group led by environmentalist Abhijit Prabhudesai, besides several other speakers and affected people from Canacona and other places gathered at the venue and were shocked to hear that the hearing was concluded. Later they rushed to meet the district collector and submitted a memorandum demanding scrapping of the public hearing held on July 8 at Margao.
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Prabhudesai said, “It is most shocking to see the constitution, laws, and democratic traditions of the country being ruthlessly smashed by government authorities while holding the public hearing in the most autocratic, illegal, and inhumane manner”.
The public hearing was held without following any statute or law. Public hearing was held during Covid pandemic and also with NSA and Section 144 in force. The public hearing was held without arranging transport.
“There is no public transport operating in Goa beyond 6 pm at the moment. Therefore, majority of the affected people, who are poor fisherfolk and farmers, could not come for the hearing, and those who did come, had to leave before 6 pm”, he said.
Xavier Fernandes, Panch of Loutolim Panchayat in the memorandum alleged that the hearing was held in a ‘non-stop, start-to-finish basis’. “Orders to hold public hearing on a non-stop, start-to-finish basis is totally untenable in view of the fact that people cannot be expected to stay 24 hours inside the venue without going home or to work,”, he said.
He further said there were no replies given during the public hearing. No replies given on points of order raised, the public hearing continued after 6.30 pm despite pleas from attendees to stop the proceedings and start the same the next day.
“The Collector had promised that people whose names were called and were not present would get a chance later to dispose and make their submissions. Fisherfolk, farmers, and local communities right to due process of law and principles of natural justice are denied,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Zarinha D’Cunha said she did not speak on the first day and hence had come today to put forth her objections and suggestions. “I am a registered speaker. I went home because I wanted to take medicines, as there was no provision of food. I went home thinking that I will get a chance to submit my submission the next day, however, I was shocked that the hearing has been concluded”, she said.
Cruz Silva said many fishermen had come to dispose of their grievances on July 8, but they had to leave as there was no transport facility. “Today they have come again to put forth their objections and suggestions”, he said.
Franky Monteiro said all had gone home saying that they will come back again to submit the objections. “My token number was 439 and hence I thought my number will not be called out and went back. When I came back today there is nobody here and this is not acceptable”, he stated.
An old-aged lady, Ruzada Cruz from Shiroda expressed her frustration over the government authorities and CZMP. “I want to know what has been done with my land”, she alleged.
Several others gathered at the venue also expressed frustration over the actions of government authorities for concluding the public hearing on July 8.
