GFDO PRESS NOTE GFDO said that Union Minister Prakash Jawdekar’s blatant interference in the Environment appraisal process for Mopa Airport was a brazen slap in the face of democratic institutions and procedures. This was evident from his announcement during his Goa visit that he would grant the Environment Clearance even before the actual meeting of the Environment Appraisal Committee took place. Such unilateral and high handed behaviour flies in the face of democratic processes and makes it abundantly clear that the Minister of Environment & Forests has lost sight of the fact that his job is to protect the environment of the nation, which in the case of Mopa comprises rich and invaluable forests, wildlife, agricultural lands and perennial springs of the plateau and not to serve vested interests who have bought huge lands in Pernem taluka in Goa and Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra.
Not satisfied with this unprecedented interference, the Minister further went on to violate all norms by chairing the meeting of the Committee, as reported in the press. The Minister's arrogance and lack of respect for procedures and law only matches his obvious disrespect for the environment, his lack of concern for Goa’s already beleaguered tourism industry or the 10,000 poor Goans who will be directly displaced by the project, and his abject obedience to the needs and demands of private profiteers. The preemptive announcement made by CM Parsekar that the Environment Clearance has been granted for the proposed Mopa Airport project is not only factually incorrect, but a blatant interference in the functioning of the Union MoEF. Firstly, by publicly stating his version of what transpired during the Meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) held on 20.10.2015, the CM has abused the opportunity provided to the Goa Government to be present during the proceedings. Secondly, his statement is not true, since the meeting held on 20.10.2015 by the Committee was only to recommend the grant or refusal of the Clearance, with the Ministry reserving the final decision whether the Clearance will be granted or not, after receiving the recommendations of the Committee. Thirdly, the hasty and premature statement of the CM has completely violated the sanctity of the appraisal process, since the minutes of the meeting have not been written yet. >From the behaviour of these two public figures, it is amply clear that the >Union MoEF, is openly conspiring with the Goa Government to push the vexed >Mopa Airport project upon the State, even at the cost of subverting due >procedures laid down for clearance of such massive projects that are sure to >have long term repercussions on the environment and future of Goa. It may be >pointed out, this EC is being given without any relevant studies being >conducted that is so crucial in this matter, since the area is so close to the >Western Ghat region. It is with great distress and dismay that GFDO feels compelled to point out to the Goa Government and the Union MoEF, that Goa is not a banana republic, but supposedly part of a larger democratic polity, that our founding fathers have safeguarded with the setting up of democratic institutions, processes and procedures. It is perhaps this sort of adhoc operations by the state administration, aided and abetted by the BJP government at the Centre, that has brought Goa tethering on the edge of economic collapse. The greed and ignorance of Goa’s elected representatives and their lack of concern for future generations of Goans is apparent from the manner in which they are vying with each other to destroy Goa irreversibly by selling it to the highest bidders only for personal gains. GFDO calls upon the people of Goa to unite and defend the motherland. This is the time to come together and save our community resources and environment for our future generations, before it is too late. For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY Fr. Eremito Rebelo Convenor
