VASCO: Fishermen in Goa say that after the Major Ports Authority (MPA) was passed their livelihood is at risk. “We will meet MPA along with fishing community stakeholders as there is uncertainty on jetties in Goa after the major port authority bill has been passed. The MPA has become powerful than the State government and Goa Government will not be in a position anymore to address our issues,” said Goa fishing boat owners association president Jose Philip D’Souza on Friday
Philip D’Souza said months ago Nitin Gadkari, Shripad Naik and several leaders had visited the port town and had laid the foundation stone for the repairs and new jetty but till date there is no development on this work, even the work hasn’t started. “Earlier they assured and showed all the fishermen that they will not only get a fishing jetty but gave them a hope of giving a fishing hub with all the facilities, but today the reality is nothing. Today the fishermen, boat owners and other stakeholders are at risk and our entire state’s fishing community is at risk,” said Philip D’Souza
Now the fishermen community and the stakeholders have planned to approach the concerned authorities and follow up the matter especially of the proposed fishing jetty and the fishing hub in Goa which was assured by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government.
As the bill is passed now fishing community wouldn’t have any control and freedom for the fishermen, regretted Philip D’Souza.
“We need to know whether we are under the MPT. There were several agitations and memodradums to concern authorities on the MPT and other functioning of the MPT but Goa Government and the Central Government never heard the voices of the people of Goa. It’s not only the fishing community who affected but several houses, the coastline are at risk and looks like the MPT will have full control over everything and Goans will be left with nothing,” said Philip D’Souza.
“It’s high time that Goans should unite and fight against this to save our State and our fellow Goans,” he added.
Furthermore, the fishermen leader said that all political leaders and parties should unite to fight for the people of Goa and save Goa.
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