27 Jun 2022  |   06:27am IST

Goencho Ekvott slams CM for criticising NGOs

Recalled what the government did despite their attempts and the attempts of other NGOs in holding dialogues with the CM and government

Team Herald

 

MARGAO: Goencho Ekvott slammed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for criticising NGOs and recalled what the government did despite their attempts and the attempts of other NGOs in holding dialogues with the CM and government.

“It is rather surprising to learn that our CM Pramod Sawant has criticised NGOs for being anti-industry and his statement that every project is being challenged by the NGOs that the government is fighting in the NGT, Supreme Court. The CM also appealed to industries body, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to have a dialogue with these organisations,” Orville Dourado Rodrigues, GE founder member said.

He pointed out that the Village Action Group against Double Tracking (VACAD) and GE have had six meetings with the Chief Minister on the vexed issue of the three linear projects.

“On October 13, 2020, a delegation consisting of GoenchoEkvott and the Village Panchayat of Naqueri-Betul met him in the presence of the then Deputy Chief Minister wherein the disastrous consequences of the three linear projects were explained to him. We had categorically given an ultimatum to the CM to clear his stand by November 15, 2020. He had then told the reporters that he had heard what the activists had to say about various projects and that he would be meeting them again,” Rodrigues recalled.

“We waited patiently for this meeting, but what we got was repeated notifications in the press for the land acquisition for the proposed double tracking through thickly populated, developed (heritage) areas, apart from the protected areas in the Western Ghats. Now, how can he abdicate his responsibility as the CM for all residents of Goa, while seeking the assistance of the industry leaders for mishandling of the issue,” Rodrigues questioned.

 “On the contrary, did Goencho Ekvott shy away from its responsibility to protecting the environment, the flora and fauna, the self-sustained settlement areas with their orchards and paddy fields? Who forced us to approach the various courts including the Supreme Court of India,” claimed Rodrigues.