Team Herald
vasco/margao: The Goencho Ekvott (GE) meeting received a good response at Cansaulim on Friday with several speakers urging the locals to join their fight and also criticising the role of MLAs and State Ministers.
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One of the speakers, Valerie Afonso a yongster from Chicalim, asked why MLAs and ministers don’t resign if they don’t have the power to scrap the coal related projects. She added that the youth will come together and fight against coal.
Activist Rama Kankonkar, also put the onus on the MLAs and questioned who is supposed to come forward when there is a problem in the village. “It is the elected representatives who are on the salaries of the public and they are there to serve the people. But sadly today, MLAs are not serving the people but just giving lip service by stating that they are supporting people.
Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira, Chicalim Parish Priest said, “Students tell me that politicians should bring sustainable development only. However, some mega projects were passed and the local MLAs are not taken into confidence.
He added that Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho was approached by the youth but they were not entertained and no satisfactory answers were given to the students by the MLA.
Fr Pereira also explained that the coal dust settles and travels far and that it will also destroy fields, cultivation and health.
Cortalim BJP MLA Alina Saldhana appealed to the State government and Chief Minister to consider the people’s opposition to these draconian projects.
“The State of Goa is dot sized and Karnataka is far far bigger. We need to see if Goa has the carrying capacity for such projects? Are these projects going to bring destruction?”
She also called on the govt to explain how these projects will benefit the locals and that she felt that there is no need for double-tracking as the present number of trains is sufficient for passengers. Saldhana also shared her past memories when the environment of Goa was more serene.
Another speaker, Captain Viriato Fernandes of Goencho Avaaz observed how even the police were present at the meeting.
This didn’t stop Fernandes from targeting both the Centre and State govts as he claimed that Adani has been supporting Prime Minister Modi. “Our Goa and its flora and fauna needs to be protected. We are trying hard to protect this beauty of Goa. Youth are now coming in the meetings and taking part in anti-coal and the three anti-linear projects.
He criticized the indifference of the Panchayat Minister when there were attempts to pass the Major Port Authority (MPA) Bill.
“If coal transportation continues then it will have an adverse impact on health. I congratulate MLA Alina Saldhana for her bold and open stand against coal.
Lopinho Xavier, from Quellosim added, “We should take inspiration from our freedom fighters who freed us from Portuguese. Coal transportation from seaways will adversely affect the traditional fishermen and their business. The Sagarmala project is dangerous for small fishermen. It’s time we need to protect Goa’s environment and get united.”
Prajal Sakhardande, History lecturer, said this issue is of every Goan. “Our religion is Goenkarponn and we are here because we do not want coal. We do not want double tracking. Is it that the Central govt is interested in this project. Are people even aware of the repercussion of the MPA Bill? Double tracking is going to finish our heritage houses. Our natural heritage is at stake. Coal is going to ruin the health of the people,” he added.
Nandita Dayal Pinto, Velsao panch pointed out that the Village Action Committee against Double Tracking
had met the Chief Minister some time back and explained to him that coal transportation, double tracking is going to destroy our environment, health and heritage; but that till date, there was no response from the CM.
“In the past two months, several coal- laden trains have been moved from Vasco to Karnataka whereas the Vasco to Collem passenger local train has been stopped for many months,” she added.
Dr Jorson Fernandes asked why the govt wants coal in Goa when Goans don’t want the same and highlighted the ill effects of the coal over the health of the people of Mormugao taluka.
He added that the State Pollution Control Board should have given risk information about coal, which they haven’t done as yet.
