Can't hold CZMP meet today due to prior commitment: Ravindra Bhavan

Ravindra Bhavan, Margao is wary of having the CZMP public hearing on Saturday as they are hosting an International conference of the Lions Club on the same day. Ravindra Bhavan Chairman Prashant Naik, said they are absolved of any responsibility if the GCZMA goes ahead with the hearing and if any untoward incident happens.  Naik while speaking about the issue said the Office ofRavindra Bhavan, Margao has already sent written communication to the GCZMA and concerned authorities of being unable to allow its premises for the hearing on Saturday.  

He said,"Ravindra Bhavan around 6 months back has allotted the hall and other areas in Ravindra Bhavan for an International conference of Lions Club which was planned 6 months in advance as international delegates are coming for the conference. Hence I suggested to the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Environment department that tomorrow's hearing be postponed or held at another venue". 

"One thing is clear that there is a large scale opposition for this from villages and its evident with the Sarpanchas taking a meeting to oppose the CZMP. If tomorrow there is some problem the image of Goa will be hampered in front of the international delegates," warned Naik. 

"All the three venues of Ravindra Bhavan -- the main auditorium the conference hall and black box -- are booked tomorrow in view of the International Conference. Hence the onus will not lie on Ravindra Bhavan if anything happens here as my whole interest is that Goa shouldn't get a bad name in the international arena," said Naik. 

Prashant also said, "Ravindra Bhavan had made written a communication well in advance of the venue being booked for the conference. Having a public hearing at the foyer area will disturb the conference. The Department I feel shouldn't make this a prestige issue and will have to relent and postpone or find a different venue". 

"If anything untoward happens we absolve our responsibility from that," said Naik.