Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott
Cansaulim – Goa
2nd March, 2009
For favor of Publication
The Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott strongly condemns the Goa Government for
failing to protect the residences and work places of the fishermen and other
local coastal people by not taking any action till date, with respect to the
notices issued by the Panchayats for demolition of houses which fall within 200
mts from the High Tide Line (HTL).
The GRE said that it is ironical that the Government considers it its
responsibility to protect the interest of Hotel Cidade de Goa, to the extent of
bringing in an ordinance to avoid the demolition of this illegal structure for
misuse of Government acquired land, inspite of the Supreme Court directives
while the local coastal people are being harassed. The GRE questions the
Government as to how it can bend backwards and forwards to help the rich and
the corrupt, while the poor Aam Admi is left to fend for itself inspite of
being residents of the area for centuries. A Government that claims to work for
the Aam Admi cannot have such blatant double standards.
The Government has been dragging its feet to take decisions to demolish Mega
Housing projects which are built by violating the laws even though these
housing projects are not meant for the local people. Ironically, under the
pretext of safeguarding employment of 500 persons employed at Cidade de Goa,
the Government has bent over to protect the illegal structure while at the same
time it has done nothing to protect hundreds of persons that have been laid off
by companies and industries that have closed down in the state of Goa. How can
we call such a Government, a Government of the common man, when in reality it
does nothing to help and protect them?
It is shocking to discover that even the poorest are not spared, for residences
built on plots under the Indira Gandhi’s 20 Point Programme, have been served
notices for demolition, in the village of Velsao. On the other hand, the
migrants all over Goa, who have built illegal shanties on public, private and
Communidade land are peacefully enjoying life as they are well protected, since
they are the constituents of the politicians’ vote banks. This clearly shows
that this Government is not for the local people.
Other glaring examples of the double standards of the Goa Government are the
illegal casinos, beach resorts and mines, which, irrespective of all the
illegalities involved continue to exist with the blessings of the Goa
Government. It is very clear that the Goa Government is taking the common man
for a ride by using the slogan of Aam Admi.
The GRE demands that the Goa Government bring in an ordinance to legalize all
residential houses of fishermen and other coastal people, which have been built
before 2007 and declare 31st December, 2007, as the cut off year for structures
within 200 mts from the HTL.
The GRE also demands that the Government take immediate action to avoid
demolition of residences which have been constructed before 31st December,
2007, before the 15th of March, 2009, failing which the GRE will be forced to
come out on the streets.
Agnel Rodrigues
Matanhy Saldanha
(President)
(General Secretary)
