VASCO: The members of Goa Against Coal (GAC) along with those of NGO -‘Our Rivers Our Rights’ (OROR) on Sunday rejected the coal handling and transportation resolution adopted by the legislators on the floor of the Goa Assembly saying that they are not satisfied as it (resolution) only speaks that no proposals for expansion of existing berths or new berths will be allowed.
GAC members specifically said that they demand a full stop on coal handling and transportation in Goa.
“The resolution does not meet our demand as we want total stop in coal handling and transportation in Goa. However, the Goa Assembly resolution speaks that no proposals for expansion of existing berths or new berths will be allowed and this does not meet our requirements. We are not waiting to see what happens during the debate on river nationalisation on the floor of the House on Monday,” Cyril Fernandes, a member of Goa Against Coal (GAC) said during a meeting of activists held in Cortalim on Sunday.
The meeting was held to decide on future course of action and it was unanimously decided that GAC along with OROR volunteers will take the message and protest to the villages across Goa. Taluka-wise teams were also constituted during the meeting and around 22 people have offered to become volunteers and they have been assigned the task to give presentation in all the villages on how the import of coal is going to cause harm to the lives of people and how coal transportation through roads, rivers and railways will lead to Goa’s destruction.
During the meeting, the activists alleged that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has been pushing its plans in name of Sagarmala project which is being pushed by the Shipping Ministry.
They vowed to expose as to how the state government and especially Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar misled the people of Goa by saying that river nationalisation was decided by the Central government whereas in reality central government had sought the opinion of Goa state. However, the Goa government failed to protect state’s interest.
Activist Claude Alvares of the Goa Foundation gave detailed opinion on legal issues and even alleged that MPT is not a recent culprit but since 1987, MPT has been violating the laws of the land. He said that the Vasco residents should file a ‘Class Action’ suit worth over Rs 200 crore against MPT for violating the environmental norms and putting the lives of the citizens at risk.
“The response from the citizens and activists for the Cortalim meet was very good. Representatives from all talukas were present and everyone has committed to work further and to push the cause and to see that coal transportation is completely stopped in Goa and rights of rivers should be retained with locals,” Cyril Fernandes added.
