PORVORIM/PANAJI
In first signs that the Centre's nod for a private jetty at Malim may run into a controversy, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte questioned the unilateral nature of the decision without consultation of local authorities including the local panchayat.
He said he would speak to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant about it and if needed write to the Centre as well.
Khaunte, who spoke to the media about the issue, said he had no knowledge whatsoever of the private jetty project set to come up at Malim, purportedly meant for docking and undocking of private yachts and to promote cruise tourism in the State.
An NOC for the private jetty project was issued to Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Private Limited by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) earlier last week. It is the first such action of the Central authority after six Goan rivers, including the Mandovi, were nationalised some years ago.
Malim where the Rs 8-crore project is to come up is incidentally is in the Penha de Franca village panchayat which is part of the Porvorim assembly constituency being represented by Khaunte as a legislator continually since 2012.
Khaunte stated that he learnt about the private jetty only through media reports. He also said he had checked with the panchayat and the Biodiverisity Committee who informed him that no permission was given for the said project.
Calling for transparency, Khaunte said he would also check with the Captain of Ports whether they have given permission.
The visibly upset minister criticized the lack of consultation with local authorities, fishermen, and residents. He expressed his frustration, stating that despite being both the local MLA and a Cabinet Minister, he was completely unaware of such a major project.
“It’s unfortunate that things are happening behind the scenes,” he said. “A few years ago, there was a proposal to set up a casino in Brittona near the church, which was strongly opposed by the locals.”
“I stand with the people,” he affirmed. “If the community does not support the project, I will oppose it. The sentiments of the locals must be respected, and they should be taken into confidence before any NOC is granted,” Khaunte emphasized.
Meanwhile, during a press conference, the Sarpanch of Penha de France Panchayat, Swapnil Chodankar, stated that the Panchayat has not received any communication from IWAI regarding the granting of an NOC to Marina India Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. He also mentioned that the Panchayat is unaware of the exact location where the project is proposed.
Chodankar expressed serious concerns, saying that if the project goes ahead, it would not only disrupt the livelihood of the local fishing community but also pose a threat to their very existence.
"If the villagers are against this project, the Panchayat will strongly oppose it, tooth and nail," he asserted.
