Govt urged to help fishermen affected by CRZ regulations

PANJIM, FEB 4
The House today demanded a half-hour debate on the implementation of CRZ regulations following High Court orders apprehended to dislodge thousands of Goans and traditional fishermen along the State’s coastline.
The issue was raised by Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho today who drew the attention of the House to show cause notices for demolitions issued by village panchayats in the Velsao-Pale stretch, which will leave a huge fishing community homeless.
During Zero Hour today Godinho impressed on the government to save the Goan fishing community and others who are affected by this order either by returning to the court or through some legislation.
The Minister for Environment Alexio Sequeira who replied to the matter said that village panchayats had been given time to identify all legal and illegal structures within the 0-200 meters of the High Tide Line.
He said, ‘The village panchayats slept over the matter and thereafter arbitrarily issued notices to all structures fearing court action.’
While Sequeira seemed to have expressed helplessness, the Opposition leader also joined in support of Godinho’s claims to find some solutions.
Parrikar said, ‘If village panchayats have slept on the issue why should people have to suffer.’ He also opined that action should be taken against the village panchayats.
It was pointed out structures within the 0-200 meters in existence before 18th February 1991 are all facing the axe even though they are exempted from the regulations.
The Congress MLA from Calangute also said that the matter was affecting his constituency and that there should be a review of the situation vis-a-vis the CRZ regulations.
In a Calling Attention Motion, Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar sought for immediate relief to farmers whose rice fields have been damaged extensively at Ladfem in Latamvarcem, village panchayat of Bicholim due to untimely help form the government.
Here Agriculture minister Vishwajeet Rane said that the farmers had not taken seriously the advise from the zonal agricultural officers on the issue of paddy blast.
He said that a fungicide available to deal with the menace, being expensive, is not used even though 50 per cent subsidy is provided for the same.
He said, ‘I will ask the department to make available the stock.’ He further said that he would have the entire matter assessed and move to the government over the request for compensation.
Patnekar had requested the agriculture minister to provide financial relief under the natural calamity fund.