MARGAO: Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has criticized the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) for allegedly acting in a highhanded manner and illegally possessing inland and coastal areas of Goa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GRE President Agnelo Rodrigues and joint secretary Olencio Simoes stated that the MPT, instead of working with the government in the best interest of Goa, was functioning with scant regards to the laws and rules of the State.
“MPT does not even take permission and licenses from the authorities for its constructions. It does not have any right to lease and sell our land to companies. Therefore, it cannot sub-lease property to other companies to build projects like marinas and ferry services in Goa,” said Simoes.
Agnelo continued, “The MPT has taken possession of a large chunk of Goa’s land in Mormugao. Prior to 1964, MPT had only 6.84 lakh sq mts of land in its possession; over the years it has taken more and more land, and presently, it has 13.74 lakh sq mts of land in its possession, with 5.19 lakh sq mts acquired between 1971 and 1985. MPT is definitely not working in the interest of Goa. We request the government not to forget the promise made in its manifesto to denotify the MPT’s jurisdiction over inland and coastal water.”
GRE has also warned the government and companies Yacht Haven Goa Marina and Kargwal Marina against pushing projects that are facing opposition from the people and MLAs.
