TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday told the State Legislative Assembly that government will request Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to halt all the ongoing modernization project and construction of jetty, till an inquiry is conducted into whether permissions from various government authorities had been granted.
However, he said that they could not issue a stop work order.
Parrikar assured the House that he would call for a meeting between Collector (South Goa) and Goa Shipyard Limited on May 2, wherein Collector has been directed to inquire into the documentation process. “We assure that no illegalities would be permitted,” he said.
Parrikar admitted, “We cannot issue them directions but would request GSL to stop ongoing work for couple of days till the inquiry by the Collector is conducted.”
Chief Minister also said that the Collector would be directed to call a meeting between GSL and the locals to sort out any apprehensions the locals may have on the issue, especially on their right to use the beach.
He was replying to the calling attention motion tabled by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida who pointed out the fear and apprehension in the minds of the people of Vollant Bounter in Vasco, as GSL wants to evict them from their houses by depriving them access to the public beach, where they carry out their day today fishing activities to earn their livelihood.
Almeida also brought to the notice of the House that the NOC sought from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has lapsed and had not been revoked.
“Similarly, the permission from Goa State Pollution Control Board has been taken for Survey No 69, while the work is been undertaken on Survey No 63,” he said.
“If that is the case, we would inquire into the matter,” Chief Minister assured.
Parrikar said that at present the access to the beach is open and there is no obstruction caused to the people operating their canoes. He said that the GSL has informed the government that there are no plans of depriving the locals of any right over the beach.
“The present construction is being carried out by using pile foundation which creates loud sound and vibration,” Parrikar said.
