Panaji – Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has said that it is the duty and responsibility of Government to hear every voice at Public Hearing on Draft Coastal Zone Management Plan scheduled on Sunday 7th March 2021 in North and South Goa.
“I demand intervention of the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to ensure that each & every Citizen who is concerned about protecting Identity of Goa and Environment gets an opportunity to express their views,” stated Kamat.
He said it is shocking that despite many Village Panchayats and concerned Citizens raising objections to the Draft CZMP and demanding for longer Public Hearing, Government is hell bent on rapping up the process in just one single day.
“The Government can extend the Public Hearing schedule for more days to give everyone equal opportunity,” said Digambar Kamat.
Hw said many Village Panchayat Gram Sabhas have outrightly rejected the Draft CZMP and have demanded that Government must review it. It is the responsibility of the Government to listen to People’s sentiments.
“There is no clarity on Classification of Areas in the Draft CZMP”, claimed Digambar Kamat.
He said CZMP has covered Shoreline Management, Conservation Management, Pollution Management, Tourism, Resource and Livelihood Management and all these issues are very sensitive in view of the Eco-sensitive Coast Line of Goa and hence every one is concerned about it claimed.
He said BJP Government must remember that it is the peoples power which is supreme in democracy and Government should not try to supress the voice of the people.
“It appears that BJP Government is trying to bulldoze the democratic process to facilitate the entry of Crony Capitalists in Goa. Congress Party will not allow the BJP’s plan to succeed at any cost,” warned Digambar Kamat.
