Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa Foundation has slammed the State government decision to keep the Public Hearing of CZMP in peak monsoon season.
The Goa Foundation has also come down heavily on Government for allowing just 15 minutes time for each speaker.
“Opting for open air hearings during the month of July when rains are generally heaviest is probably related to the desire of the GCZMA and the Goa government to ensure minimal participation in the public hearings. This is to be deplored,” he said.
Goa Foundation said it strongly objects to the limit of 15 minutes imposed on every speaker at the public hearing, and to a whole lot of other political conditions relating to what can be said or not said during the presentations.
“No conditions should be imposed on speakers. No conditions can be imposed. The NGT has asked the Goa government to follow the norms laid down by the High Court in the Navelim/Amone public hearings,” it says said.
Goa Foundation said that no time limit was laid down there. “The business of the GCZMA is to listen to the people, take what is useful and discard the rest, while respecting the rights of the people to disclose what they are most concerned about,” it said.
GF further said that the 15 minute limit may therefore be challenged, if it is not dropped forthwith. It has no basis in law or any norm in force governing public hearings.
