Team Herald
PANJIM: Goencho Avaaz on Tuesday demanded that government conduct a fresh public hearing on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), alleging that the hearing conducted on March 7 was a “farce”.
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The newly formed political front has threatened to move High Court if government pays no heed to their demand. Addressing the media persons, Goencho Avaaz Executive Member Roshan Mathais, who was present for the public hearing on Sunday, said that the hearing was a “farce” with authorities denying permission to several stakeholders-cum-registered speakers, to enter the venue, where hearing was conducted.
He said that the CZMP is not just related to the coastal belt or fishermen community, but it affects entire State population, which is inter-linked.
“Several fishermen communities and citizens have approached us requesting to help them. We would be soon petitioning Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority for conduct of fresh public hearing,” Mathais said.
“If the government declines our demand, then we would have no other option but to approach the High Court, in the larger interest of the State, for justice,” he added.
