*Dear Sir,* Please find below the Press Note From Goencho Ekvott for your kind perusal.
Thank you. *PRESS NOTE:* The Executive Committee of the newly formed *GOENCHO EKVOTT* met today, 25th July 2020, at Velsao due to the immense support received from the people of various villages, panchayats and concerned groups, extending from Vasco da Gama to Kollamb, to decide the way forward and chart the future course of action against the proposed Doubling of the South Western Railway Tracks and Anti-Coal movement. The Convener Mr. Creson Antao and Executive Members Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Ella Mascarenhas, Jose Cabral, Dixon Vaz, Denver Dourado Rodrigues, Vivekanand Kantak, Capt. Francis Gouveia, Ashok Souza and Joe Vaz thanked the various organizations and the people across Goa who have extended their whole hearted support to Goencho Ekvott in opposing the destructive mega projects. The executive committee further expressed their shock and dismay that during these very difficult times when the cases attributed to COVID-19 Pandemic are on the rise, and despite the government restricting the monsoon Assembly session to just one (1) day, the government is taking full advantage of the lockdown and pushing through anti-people projects which are not only detrimental to the health of the villagers and city dwellers of Goa regardless of their age or sex, but are also a threat to aquifers and age old water bodies. As a consequence this will result in the end of paddy cultivation, a sustainable traditional occupation. The destruction & pollution of the environment is also a big setback to the tourism industry which has been the backbone of Goa’s economy, upon the collapse of the mining industry and which is now itself under severe strain on account of the pandemic. The executive committee further resolved to appeal to all the elected representatives of Goa including, but not limiting to the MLAs and MPs to oppose this anti-people project, failing which they will be made answerable to the peoples court. Orville Dourado Rodrigues (Founder)
