MARGAO: Citizens of Goa, for a second time urged the government to defer the public hearing on Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) scheduled for July 8 in wake of COVID-19 Delta variants in the State by submitting a memorandum to the South Goa District Collector at Margao on Monday. Citizens will also approach the Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral.
Speaking to the media Gina Pereira of the NGO group, Citizens of Goa, said that they have requested the district collector to exercise the power as an administrator responsible for disaster management during this pandemic to take an immediate decision in the larger interest of the public.
“We appreciate and thank the district collector for the letter to Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) on our earlier memorandum. However, we cannot stress enough the reports that we read on news channels and newspapers of the higher transmissibility of the new Delta Plus variant. The State is already aggrieved by the bereavement of over 3022 precious lives to the COVID-19 virus in the deadly second wave and cannot endanger any more lives”, she stated.
She mentioned that Section 269 of the IPC states that whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is likely to spread the infection of any diseases dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment.
Gina further said that it would be a criminal offence to hold a public gathering where over 2,000 citizens are expected to attend.
Gina, along with Zarina Da Cunha, Ramiro Mascarenhas, and others submitted a memorandum to the district collector.
It may be noted that opposition to the public hearing on CZMP scheduled on July 8 is gearing up, mostly in Salcete taluka. Few panchayats besides, several NGOs, have already submitted their say urging to defer the public hearing.
