Auctioning of unused boats, enhancing fine to Rs 1 lakh/month on unused vessels, makeshift toilet block, clearance of structures discussed
MARGAO
Auctioning of the 44 unused fishing boats anchored at the Cutbona fishing jetty; enhancing the fine on the unused boats to Rs 1 lakh per month, makeshift toilet blocks at the jetty, clearance of structures dotting along the jetty road et al.
These and a host of other issues plaguing the Cutbona fishing jetty took the centre stage a day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s visit to the dengue and cholera-hit Cutbona fishing jetty.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira chaired a high-level meeting of government agencies at the district Collectorate on Thursday to take a review of the instructions issued by the Chief Minister.
Sequeira told the media after the meeting with the agencies that the meeting was part of the exercise to do preliminary work before the authorities crack a whip at Cutbona and tone up the amenities.
Saying sanitation and hygiene will be accorded priority at the jetty given that outbreak of cholera is closely linked with these issues, the Minister said the PWD has been told to relook at the proposal to lay a dedicated water supply line to Cutbona jetty to ensure that potable water is provided to the migrant workers.
As far as the sanitation is concerned, Sequeira said the government will revive the 50-seater toilet block at the Cutbona jetty. He, however, said since the proposal will take some time to take shape, makeshift toilets will be put in place at the jetty to take care of sanitation of the migrant workers.
In this respect, he said the sanitation amenities will be provided free of cost for the migrant workers and the cost of upkeep and maintenance will be borne by the boat owners. “We have called a meeting with the Sulabh toilet officials to work out a package for the boat owners,” he said.
As far as the 44 unused vessels anchored at the Cutbona jetty, Sequeira said the authorities will issue a public notice to the boat owners to remove the vessels within a time-frame, failing which the vessels will be auctioned to the bidders. In this respect, he said the fine imposed on the unused vessels docked at the jetty will be raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month.
The Minister said all the structures dotting the jetty road will be razed down as per the instructions of the Chief Minister.
When questioned whether the Fisheries department has been found wanting at Cutbona resulting in the death of the five migrant workers, the Minister said, “I will not say who is responsible for the situation. The government has taken cognizance of the situation and we have resolved to settle the issues.”
