The Cuncolim fish meal plant controversy escalated on Sunday, with Goa’s youngest councillor, Udesh Desai, alleging that a cabinet minister is backing the project and eyeing Cuncolim for the next Assembly elections. Desai also accused the Opposition leader of playing a “double game” and reducing the September 9 resolution against the fish meal project to a mere paper exercise. Desai, also a practicing lawyer, alleged that the council has failed to act meaningfully since the resolution was passed. “There is no clarity on what the resolution actually states, nor has the council taken any follow-up steps since then. If this continues, Cuncolkars will have no option but to approach the High Court through a PIL,” he said. He further criticized the ruling group of the CMC: “The councillors and chairperson are dancing to the tunes of the opposition leader. They have no independent say.
It was the CMC’s duty to send the resolution to all departments, but they failed to do so.” Desai also linked the government’s sudden decision to clear the 18-year-old Sunrise Zinc dump with the fish meal project. “Despite a court order, the government ignored the dump for years. Now they have sanctioned funds to clear it.
This is nothing but a ploy to create an approach road for Goan Marine Impex Pvt Ltd, the company behind the proposed fish meal plant. Cuncolkars are not fools,” he charged. Meanwhile, CMC Chief Officer Vimod Dalal confirmed that the resolution has already been sent to all relevant authorities, including the Investment Promotion Board (IPB), Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), and Town & Country Planning (TCP).
The Opposition leader dismissed the allegations, stating that Cuncolim fish meal row deepens as councillor alleges minister’s backing the Municipal Council is functioning independently. “The Cuncolim Municipal Council is doing its work perfectly; I need not interfere. The resolution has already been sent to all concerned departments and my stand is very clear — no fish meal will come here,” the Cuncolim MLA asserted.
The sharp exchange between Desai and the Opposition leader has left Cuncolkars watching closely, as the dispute over the proposed fish meal plant turns into both a legal and political showdown.