Both sparred in full public view over an inspection of the low lying areas around Pedda-Benaulim as Caitu was insisting on action against the fillings by the Environment Ministry, even as Alina told the MLA point blank not to point accusing fingers, reminding Caitu that it was also his responsibility to stop the illegal filling as the representative of the area.
When Caitu maintained that the land fillings have not taken place during his tenure, Alina was quick to point out to a filling undertaken only recently. “I will tell you one thing. Right over there, that land filling is a recent one. You yourself said that you cannot stand there and the mud is settling”, Alina said.
A visibly upset Caitu shot back saying that the minister need not tell him all these things, saying an MLA is not expected to look into all these things. When Alina told the MLA that he has to employ his office manpower to look into all these things, Caitu retorted saying the government does not pay for him to employ manpower to look after the village.
When Caitu maintained that the local panchayats are around to take care of such issues, Alina sought to know why he has not contacted the local panchayat on the issue. “Even you don’t have to come here personally. You have to ask the panchayat. What are you doing here’, Alina said.
Incidentally, when Caitu questioned the environment minister what action she intends to initiate against land filling, Alina quipped “I have already told you my plan of action. How many times you want me to repeat”.
Alina told the media that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has given the NoC to the Captain of Ports to dredge the river Sal, adding that CRZ officials will follow up the matter with the CoP. She also disclosed that the Water Resources Department has been asked to ascertain the water flow pattern in the area before taking concrete action.
Caitu, on the other hand, told the media that he does not have any hope of any action by the Environment Ministry, but said he would continue to knock the doors of the minister. “Alina says she has inspected the area because of media reports.. Why did she not inspect the area soon after the flooding”, he said, while saying that Alina has inspected the area acting on his letter written to her last week.
