MMC councillors urge for ordinance to save Khariwado houses

MMC councillors urge for ordinance to save Khariwado houses
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, NOV 26
Councillors of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) urged Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza to move an ordinance to save 362-odd houses alongside Khariwado seashore from demolition due to Mormugao port expansion plan.
The issue dominated the special council meeting on Friday during ‘Any Other Business’ (AOB) points. Councillors Lavina D’Souza and Pascaole D’Souza expressed dissatisfaction over chief officer’s action in issuing final notices to the houses, which are located beyond port alignment expansion plan.
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has filed a petition in the High Court stating nearly 362-odd structures fall within the port area at Khariwado shore. MPT has made MMC party in the petition for not acting against the illegal structures.
While raising the issue during AOB, Councillor Lavina D’Souza sought to know from Chief Officer Gopal Parsekar why final notices were served when code of conduct was imposed and notices were served even to those people who are residing beyond the port limit.
Parsekar said as port has made MMC a party in the petition filed in the High Court, he is obeying the court order and if at all, notices have been served to the people who are staying beyond the port limit then he would inquire into it.
However, most of the councillors unanimously agreed that all the 20 councillors should sit across the table and seek help of local Minister Jose Philip D’Souza to support them to help the people.
Councillor Pascoal D’Souza said people along the Khariwado shore have their existence since before the port inception and they cannot be thrown out in such a manner by the port.
Councillor Saifullah Khan and Carlos Almeida suggested that the revenue minister should move an ordinance similar to the one moved in order to save a hotel in North Goa.
“Why can’t the government safeguard houses of fishermen along the Khariwado shore,” he asked.