MARGAO: Goans For Dabolim Only (GFDO) stated that Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar’s interference in the environment appraisal process for Mopa airport is a slap on the face of democratic institutions and procedures.
In a statement issued on Thursday, GFDO referred to Javadekar’s announcement during his Goa visit that he would grant the environment clearance (EC) for the project even before the meeting of the Environment Appraisal Committee.
“Such unilateral and high-handed behaviour flies in the face of democratic processes and makes it clear that the Minister has lost sight of the fact that his job is to protect the environment of the nation and not to serve vested interests who have bought huge lands in Pernem and Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. In the case of Mopa, the environment comprises rich and invaluable forests, wildlife, agricultural lands and perennial springs of the plateau,” said Fr Eremito Rebello, GFDO convenor.
He added, “Not satisfied with this interference, the Minister further went on to violate all norms by chairing the meeting of the Committee, as reported in the press. The Minister’s lack of respect for procedures and the law only matches his obvious disrespect for the environment, his lack of concern for Goa’s already beleaguered tourism industry or the 10,000 poor Goans who will be directly displaced by the project.”
GFDO also stated that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s announcement that the EC has been granted for the Mopa project is not only factually incorrect, but blatant interference in the functioning of the Union MoEF.
“Firstly, by publicly stating his version of what transpired during the meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on October 20, the CM has abused the opportunity provided to the Goa Government to be present during the proceedings. Secondly, his statement is not true, since the meeting was only to recommend the grant or refusal of the clearance, with the ministry reserving the final decision on whether the clearance will be granted or not, after receiving the recommendations of the committee. Thirdly, the CM’s hasty and premature statement has completely violated the sanctity of the appraisal process, since the minutes of the meeting have not been written yet,” said Fr Rebello.
He went on to allege that the behaviour of Parsekar and Javadekar made it clear that the Union MoEF is conspiring with the Goa government to push the Mopa project on the State. He also pointed out that the EC is being given without conducting any relevant studies, which is crucial as the area is close to the Western Ghats.
“It is perhaps this sort of adhoc operations by the state administration, aided by the BJP government at the Centre, that have brought Goa to the edge of economic collapse. The greed and ignorance of Goa’s elected representatives and their lack of concern for the future generations of Goans is apparent from the manner in which they are vying with each other to destroy Goa by selling it to the highest bidders for personal gains,” said Fr Eremito.
GFDO had earlier held a meeting to discuss the recent developments on the Mopa issue.
