Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday clarified in the Goa Legislative Assembly that no rivers in the state have been surrendered or handed over to the Government of India, assuring members that they will continue to remain under the control of the state government and the people of Goa.
Sawant made the statement during a discussion in the House on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019, stating that the plan is currently undergoing inter-departmental consultations and has not yet been opened for public review or consultation. He assured legislators that the draft would be placed in the public domain only after internal scrutiny is completed.
The Chief Minister further assured that the port limits currently reflected in the draft CZMP 2019 would be removed before the plan is released for public consultation. He said the government would take a final decision on the plan only after considering objections and suggestions from the public.
Addressing concerns related to coal transportation in the state, Sawant said coal handling in Goa will not increase either now or in the future. He clarified that inland waterways jetties will not be used for coal transportation, adding that currently only two jetties in the state handle coal.
During the discussion, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the government over the alleged expansion of jetties and ports and sought clarity on the issue of river control. He urged the Chief Minister to specify when the rivers would be fully returned to the state’s control.
MLA Altone D’Costa raised concerns regarding Betul Port, stating that it was earlier excluded from the Sagarmala project but has now been included and connected to the national highway. He sought clarification from the government on whether the port would be used for transporting bauxite or coal and asked for details about its status under the project.
MLA Cruz Silva criticised the government’s decision to nationalise six rivers, urging it to reverse the move to safeguard the livelihoods of riverside fishermen. He specifically demanded that the Sal River be denationalised.
MLA Carlos Ferreira also raised concerns over the port limits reflected in the CZMP 2019, stating that they could adversely affect local communities and fishermen. He argued that such limits should not be included in the CZMP as they fall under existing statutory provisions.
Meanwhile, MLA Nilesh Cabral asserted that he would not allow coal transportation in his constituency and warned that he would question the Chief Minister if any such activity takes place. MLA Vijai Sardesai also expressed concern over the port limits in the draft plan, stating that they could impact the traditional rights and livelihoods of local communities and fishermen across the state.
