Princess: Manch serves legal notice on govt

CALANGUTE, JAN 18
The River Princess Hatao Manch has served a legal notice on the State government for its lethargic approach with regard to removal of the grounded vessel ‘River Princess’ from the Candolim shores.
In a press release signed by River Princess Hatao Manch Convenor Fermino Fernandes, the Manch has also criticised the State government on its failure to remove the grounded vessel.
The Manch has served a legal notice on the government for its lethargic approach to the serious issue, which has now become a nuisance for the villagers of coastal Calangute.
The legal notice was served on the Chief Secretary and Director of Tourism on Tuesday for their failure to undertake preventive measures and/or remove the grounded vessel within the time frame as directed by the High Court.
It may be recalled that the High Court through in its order dated September 8, 2010, had directed the State government to start work on removal of the vessel within two months from the date of order, which lapsed on November 8, 2010.
On November 11, 2010, the government floated a fresh tender and finalised a contractor from Mumbai for removal of the vessel, stated the press note.
“High ranking officers in the government had assured us that removal work would begin by January 3, 2011, due to the hectic Christmas season. Though we are in middle of January and four months have elapsed since the order was passed by the High Court, till today no work order has been issued to the contractor,” added the press note.
“We had also requested Chief Minister Digambar Kamat not to treat the issue as any other government issue but surprisingly the issue has been given the worst treatment by the government despite declaring it a ‘State Disaster’,” the press note stated.
The contractor is ready with all the required machinery and equipment and is awaiting orders to start the work. On Monday, the contractor brought cranes, dredgers and pontoons at the site of River Princess and assured to start the work the moment it gets a green signal from the government.
The press note also criticised the lethargic approach of the government in removing the vessel.
“We are given to understand that notification is required from Customs and Central Excise while the chief minister and his officers are duty bound to get going on war footing as bad weather will start by February end,” states the press note.