MARGAO: United Goans Foundation (UGF) has accused the government of paralyzing the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Biodiversity Board. It has demanded immediate reforms for the agencies and has planned to approach the vigilance department for an inquiry in the agencies’ affairs. UGF has alleged that the agencies are “dormant” and have employed either temporary staff or staff with no proper credentials. “GSPCB has not even recruited permanent, qualified staff. Presently, there are several chemistry bachelors and masters in the office. They are the most incompetent given the issues of Goa,” said Ashish Kamat of UGF, adding, “The Biodiversity Board has only three employees, out of whom one is a driver and the other a program officer. These problems have led to the on-field and off-field failure of the agencies.” Meanwhile, the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF) has criticised the GSPCB for failing to solve the Colva creek issue.
CCCF member Judith Almeida added, “We condemn the statements of MLAs or other elected representatives who term NGOs as ‘people against development’. We are for sustainable development and will back it always.”
