The concerned citizens groups, as well as other social and environmental activists from Mormugao taluka are upset with the government decision to shift Goa from Western Zone Pune to NGT Northern Zone in Delhi.
According to Vasco-based environmentalist Advocate Savio J F Correia, the notification issued by the Central Government is a subtle attack on the Constitution, as the same violates the right to life and right to equality before law.
“Our fundamental rights are not gifts given by the State, but granted by the Constitution. The Constitution only confirms their existence and accords protection. The shifting of place of sitting is a direct interference with administration of justice,” Correia said.
“It is the most ill-thought-out and illogical administrative decision I have come across and only corroborates the unholy alliance between the corporate and political class to stifle civil society’s efforts to protect Goa’s environment. This could not have happened without implied nod of the State Government. The suo-moto cognizance taken by the High Court reinforces my faith in our judiciary and its role as guardian of the Constitution and human rights” he said.
The fishing community from Khariwado and Baina too have been fighting a long battle against capital dredging by the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), General Secretary of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) Olencio Siomes said, adding that the notification was the sinister plan of present government of Goa and Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari to cover up the misdeed of the state and central government.
It was Baina Ramponkar and Fishing Canoe Owners’ Society & Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Co-op Society who had exposed the MOEF and the MPT for the first time for illegally granting the Environmental Clearance (EC) which was quashed by National Green Tribunal, Western Zone, Pune for Capital dredging of navigational channel of MPT, Vasco. The move to shift NGT, Pune to New Delhi is unconstitutional and criminal in nature, as this will deny the natural justice which is the violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Simoes said.
“If we are correct, it was Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who wanted to get NGT to Goa rather than Pune as he said that his officers have to rush Pune now and then which is hampering development but will it not hamper work now, as it is shifted to New Delhi,” he questioned.
“We the fishermen of Goa are forced to go to court only when we are denied our right to livelihood by the government’s haphazard development plans. We demand the government should roll back its decision of shifting NGT to New Delhi and work towards protection of environment and strengthening the constitution and judiciary so that justice is met to all,” he added.
