Monday, 9 June 2025

Goa Fisheries Department needs full-time Director!

09/06/2025


To,


Hon'ble Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa


Subject: Call for appointment of full-time Director of Fisheries


Respected Sir,


We are experiencing tremendous hardships over the past some months. Simple files of individual fishers are witnessing delays of around 04 to 05 months. 


We are given to understand that this delay is due to additional responsibilities and charges given to the current Director of Fisheries Ms. B. Yashaswini IAS.


Matters have worsened from May 04, 2025 when Fisheries Director was given additional charge as Collector of North Goa District after Sirgaon stampede.


We therefore request you to ensure that Directorate of Fisheries in Panjim gets full-time Director who is competent and can communicate fluently with fishers in Konkani.


Kindly treat this letter as urgent and act on priority. 


Thanking you.


Yours sincerely, 





Shaila D'mello

President





Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Friday, 6 June 2025

Fire extinguisher in fishing canoes and insurance of the fishing crew

05/06/2025


To,


The Director, 

Directorate of Fisheries,

Government of Goa 

Panjim, Goa


Subject: Follow up to our visit to your office on 29.05.2025 to discuss issues of fire extinguisher in fishing canoes and insurance of the fishing crew etc...Regarding


Madam,


Delegation from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) visited your office on 29.05.2025 to discuss and clarify the issues of mandatory installation of fire extinguisher in fishing canoes and mandatory insurance of the fishing crew and fishing vessel. 


We met officials of the Fisheries department that includes Deputy Director Dr. Smitha Majumdar, Superitendent of Fisheries Varsha Naik and Fisheries Officer Aniya Naik.


In this context we submit as under:


1. On Mandatory fire extinguisher: queries were raised on the legal basis of the decision. It was informed by Fisheries Officer that legal basis is Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules, 1990. Department officials did not share gazetted copy of this law with us nor produced any notification from the Direction of Fisheries indication that 1990 central government legislation is going to be enforced against fishing canoes in Goa in 2025, after the gap of 35 years. It was concluded that due to these reasons fire extinguisher cannot be made mandatory for any fishing canoes in Goa.


2. On Crew insurance: it was noted that officials from the Fisheries department are insisting on fishermen getting the private insurance for fishing canoes crew. On this count it was pointed out during the meeting that as per Rule 3 (3)(ii)(e) of the Goa Marine Fishing Regulation (sixth ammendment) Rules 2021 the fishing vessel shall posses "a certificate of insurance coverage of its members and the fishing vessel". Thus the rule does not specify that it needs only private insurance coverage. There are two government schemes in this context that we wish to draw your attention to:


1. Group accidental insurance scheme


2. Corpus Fund Scheme


We therefore urge you that insurance coverage of fishing vessel crew be enforced through the above two schemes without resorting to private insurance companies. 


Kindly take this on priority attention and ensure that fishers are not harassment and troubled in this regard.


Thanking you.


Yours Truly,




Shaila D'mello

President





Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary


Copy to Minister of Fisheries, Government of Goa

Thursday, 5 June 2025

Call to revoke permissions to navigate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim River from June 01 to August 31

03/06/2025


To,


Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa


Subject: Call to revoke permissions to navigate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim River from June 01 to August 31 


Sir,


This is to follow-up of  letter from All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) dated 28/05/2025 inwarded to your office on the same date with subject "call to cease all water sports/tourism canoes operations in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31".


Subsequently we got a phone call from your office to remain present for the personal hearing on 30/05/2025 at 15.00 hours. In obedience to the telephonic message delegation from AGSSRFU was present at the personal hearing held at the office Captain of Ports.


Inspite of personal hearing and your assurance to protect fishing interests in Sinquerim river water sports/tourism canoes with PNJ registration began their operations on 01 June 2025 thereby disrupting fish spawning season and fishing based livelihoods that Sinquerim river historically supported local fishing communities in Sinquerim, Candolim  Nerul etc till these canoes began disrupting stable self-sustaining local Fisheries three years ago.


We have on record verified information that your office has permitted these canoes to deploy 40 HP outboard motors mandatory. Few canoes operate with 40 HP outboard motors few with deceptive stickers of these motors are of 09 HP capacity. 


At the said personal hearing with Captain of Ports when this issues was brought up by one of the fisher from Candolim who is also member of AGSSRFU you counter questioned him rudely "Are you questing my decision"? AGSSRFU holds that bad decision needs to be questioned and you have no basis to behave rudely. Questioning is important aspect of healthy democratic practices and kindly introspect your conduct and behaviour towards fishing communities. 


Your decision to outsource dispute resolution to Olencio Simoes is not respected as Water Sports/Tourim canoes has resumed their highly objectionable disruptive activities in Sinquerim river from June 01, 2025 morning itself to the detriment of the Fisheries based livelihoods of the local fishermen and their families. 


We wish to bring to your attention the text of section 8 of gazette (extraordinary 3) notification no. B 14022/WS/Special Permissions/COP dated 7th July 2023 as follow:


"Captain of Ports reserves the right to grant or deny the NOC's in case of congestion, local fishermen problems, safety of navigation and may be revoked without assigning any reasons thereof".


You are therefore requested to invoke above section 8 of Gazette (extraordinary 3) notification no. B 14022/WS/Special Permissions/COP dated 7th July 2023 and revoke all the Permissions to operate water sports/tourism canoes in Sinquerim river for the months of June to August with immidiate effect on the ground of local fishermen facing problems due to water sports/tourim canoes navigating in Sinquerim river for the months of June to August.


Please note that your office will be held accountable and responsible for all the negative consequences flowing out of your decision to support water sports/tourism canoes against fishing based livelihoods so far.


We expect you to act to revoke the said permisions swiftly without any further delay and avoid situations may lead to unpredictable scenarios.


We communicate this to you with instructions from our Union members located in Sinquerim-Candolim-Nerul coastal belt received and dicussed at the AGSSRFU executive meeting held on 01/06/2025.


Thanking you.


Yours Truly,




Shaila D'mello

President




Laximan Mangueshkar 

Secretary


Copy to


1. Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Panaji, Goa


2. Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

 

3. President, Kandollchea Kharveancho Ekvott, 

937, Camotim Vaddo,

Candolim, Bardez, Goa


4. The President,

Traditional Fishermen's Association of North Goa

1611/46, Voilo Vaddo, Orda, Candolim, Bardez, Goa

Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Sarthak Ahuja and his obsession with tagging Goa's tourist taxi operators as mafia

 https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ZeiYMaC3j/


Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns Sarthak Ahuja for using defamatory language against taxi operators in Goa. He has posted objectionable video on Facebook on the above links referring Goa's Taxi Unions as mafia. He has repeated the same three times in the same video reflecting acute sense of frustration with Goans.

Mafia is an Acronym of set of activities put together when operated without sanction and approval of law. Taxis in Goa are not operating in with full sanction of law.

Oxford dictionary defines the word mafia as "a secret international organization of criminals active especially in Italy and the US". It also has another meaning as "a closely knit group of trusted associates who use ruthless and criminal methods to get advantages for themselves". This definition also does not apply to Goa's taxi operators. And those who want to know the actual Italian origin of mafia and its full form may consult this video:

https://youtu.be/jYZksdzVxic

So what's really is the obsession that drives so many online Facebook, instagram characters to refer Goa's taxis operators as "mafia"? Why this deliberate tag is sought to be imprinted as the image of Goa's taxi operators? No one from Goa has refered and tagged any of the aggregators in India as Cartels. So why this obsessions amongst Ahujas of India in the name of providing right facilities to tourists in Goa?

Can people of Goa allow themselves to be taken hostage by tourism? Tourism was built upon natural and social character of Goa. Real estate had no role in it. Real estate is in fact a intruder into tourism in Goa that needs to be countered.

Goa has seen international tourism right from 1960s and that tourism never took local people hostages as is being sought to be done today.

If Sarthak Ahuja has problem with the way tourism is generating jobs for local people in Goa through taxis he has to came to terms with it rather than propagating supplanting solutions of supporting Guidelines.

It is indeed very strange that this Sarthak Ahuja has appealed to people from all over India write to Goa's Transport Director in addition to those involved in real estate business.

Basically Sarthak advocates dismantling of tourism industry and re-forming it in such a way that people of Goa will be taken hostage of the industry. Economically local people will be shattered and taxi operators are just one section of it. The ripple effect in case of this disaster of guidelines being approved will fall on entire Goan society. Social consequences will be severe too.

The repeated use of the word "mafia" on taxi oprerators is inherently violent in the nature of the narrative. It is actually brainwashing people to be prepared for the actual physical violence to accept, justify and even celebrate in due course of time.

Desmond Morris has explained this phenomena beautifully in his book "Human zoo". He observes that dog is tagged mad repeatedly. After sufficient brainwashing through mind control exercises one day dog is shot dead even though actually dog was never mad. People then celebrate that mad dog is dead!

Narrative has a power and people like Sathak Ahuja use them effectively against people of Goa.

At his Facebook video posting option to post comments is closed. One cannot have any response there. His point of view is drilled down without any change of dialogue.

Video narrative ends with nationalistic narrative of "Jai Hind". No nationalistic slogans should be allowed perpetuate violence on any section of Goa including taxi operators. We counter this narrative with Jai Mulnivasi!

Bharat Mukti Morcha stands in support and Solidarity with people running their taxis business in Goa and their Associations and Unions.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon Goa Government to withraw its decision to enforce Guidelines and protect livelihoods of taxi operators in Goa.

Jai Mulnivasi!




Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Agacaim turns toxic with clandestine release of hazardous chemicals


 









Agacaim village has turned toxic at sevaral sites with clandestine discharge of hazardous chemicals in traditional rainwater run-off paths. 


Eversimce its started raining past few weeks black fluids mixed with the toxic substances and hazardous chemicals turning water itself black.


Several paddy fields due for cultivation has turned black in mourning mode. Traditional run-off paths resembles black dirty smelly gutters leading into Panvel river. Agacaim run-off this toxic water into Zuari river causing huge threat to marine ecosystems too.


Ground investigations indicate that toxic substance were released in the open somewhere near Agacaim-Pilar border threatening and poisoning large portion of Agacaim village and Zuari river.


There are huge implications of thus criminal act, one of them being destruction of agriculture, fisheries, collapse of natural ecosystems, and collapse of Public Health.


All the agencies of the State needs to act systematically and in co-ordination to track down as to who has caused this ecocide and expose those involved. All the concerned groups are also required to work in co-ordination to assist in restoration of damaged land and purify polluted waters.

Saturday, 31 May 2025

When Aggregator provokes rebellion: Commentary on Taxi owners movement in Goa

They are not politicians but are seen posing with politicians. They are not trained eloquent speakers but are seen addressing press conferences. They usually stay behind the car wheel but are forced on the road on foot. These days interestingly this is the reality in Goa. 


Citizens connected with transport business in the form of taxi cars are all out hammer and tong going after creature who has no birth in biology but in law: aggregator.


A week back on 20th May 2025 Goa government published gazette notification notifying "guidelines" for taxi cars on introducing cab aggregators supreceeding earlier notification of 06 March 2019. Gazette notification is issued by an IAS officer P. Pravimal Abhishek in his capacity as the Director of Transport, Government of Goa. Guidelines are notified for the information of those who are likely to be affected and are given 30 days to file objection. The exact last day to file objections is Goa Revolution Day 18 June 2025, the day known for defiance of people in Goa against Portuguese rule in 1946 under leadership of friend of Juliao Menezes namely Ram Manohar Lohia.


Central Government through Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified "motor vehicle aggregator guidelines- 2020" which is now being imposed in Goa in its 64 year after being "annexed through conquest" (as Supreme Court of India puts it in Shantilal Gosalia case) on 19 December 1961. Conqueror have an advantage to formulate laws and impose them upon the conquered to intensify the subjugation process. And imposition of aggregator is one such glaring example to this effect.


Guidelines interestingly also heralds triumph of technology with consequential impact of increasing sense of economic insecurity of Goa citizenry. In the new bold proposed set power is destined to be concentrated with aggregators, creatures of the twenty-first century, of technology. The concentration of power is essentially over data that will be electronically collected through apps and humans would be pushed to an era of apes, perhaps. The power of aggregator over data is also power over transport economy specially touristic state of Goa. Tourist taxi business is set for dramatic overhaul if guidelines comes in into force in June 2025. Business will witness shift of control over tourism cab transport sector in the clutches of aggregators and will be remotely controlled. 


Taxi owners have opposed this proposed system that will come in force the moment aggregator pays rupees five lakh fees to Goa Government. 


Few years ago Motor Vehicle Act 1988 was amended and new section was created to define "aggregator" as section 2(1A).


It reads: "aggregator" means a digital intermediary or market place for a passenger to connect with a driver for the purpose of transportation.


Role of intermediary in tourists taxi operations are strongly opposes and resisted for their infinite ability to accumulate capital through commision per transaction. 


There are already few apps based transport cars operating in Goa. One is named after Goa and other after Taj as far as I know. I had the opportunity to get one such car after I got off at Mopa Airport and had to be dropped off at Nauxim village. During my journey I got chance of speaking to the driver. He was from Uttar Pradesh. He did not own the car. He was paid salary of Rs.15,000/- per month. He is supposed to use only CNG fuel to the car cost of which is refunded by the app company. If petrol is filled up in car at the fueling station then that money is not refunded by company He looses money. He went on in search of CNG at mid-night near Mopa but couldn't find. He dropped me to Odxel. I inquired as to where he will go after dropping me off. He replied that he will park the car nearby to Odxel till he gets notification for next passenger from the app. He has no family to go and rest at night. His app based taxi has taken his life hostage, a new level of exploitation. And one more important fact: I was charged just Rs.700/- as journey cost. As a consumer it's bonanza for my pocket! I have every reason to celebrate to get access to a cab at command of app residing in my cell phone. 


One needs sense of bit deeper empathy and understanding to know why Goa's cabs charge double the amount for the same distance. It's economics is simple Goan taxis live a dignified life without exploitation and with sufficient family commitments. The cost from Odxel to Mopa will include also cost of return journey of driver back to his home in Odxel from Mopa. So when when I took local non-app cab from Odxel to Mopa Airport I paid Rs.1,400/- for the same distance. Paying of this cost ensures lifestyle of work without exploitation. 


Cab Aggregator and it's introduction in Goa will smash mass of Goa's population who lives in economic prosperity in Middle class decent lifestyle into impoverish situation with enormous blow to family life.


We must note that Individual choice of taxi owning individuals is critical at this juncture; and we must ensure that control of information rests with citizens, not with data aggregators or data users such as any apps. How various taxi operating Associations in North and South of Goa conduct themselves will have long term bearing on the Goan society as the struggle is essentially against taking over of tourism taxi economy away from the control of people of Goa through legal sanction and government support.


It is not a difficult guess as to why State transport department is determined to push down this decision despite resistance from the mass of Taxi operators. Taxi owners are resisting State policies for over one decade and the they have come a long way from Speed governors, taxi meters, tracking devices to cab aggregators. Currently government functioning is through policy of reward and punishment. Those who consistently contribute to the ruling Party funds gets rewarded with contracts and projects irrespective of what the merits or de-merit for public is. All that matters is contributions to party funds. Those officials who contribute to Party funds are rewarded with plump postings even if the officer doesn't have required qualification and merit. This is the reason governance in Goa has turned into commerce. Public interest has taken back seat and vested interests rule the State.


Vested interests who are enemies of people of Goa has taken control of governance in Goa and gazette notifications are issued to subtly promote skewed exploitation in clever camouflaged manner.


Currently rebellion of Goan taxi owners must be viewed with much more holistic approach rather than usual prejudiced tags of Mafia and Looters. It is their way of self-assertion for they too believe that Goa is a place that is worth fighting for. In this case employment and livelihood with dignity. 


Ruling party most likely has already sold them off to usher in corporatization of taxi business in Goa via hefty contributions to Party funds. And there is no way to know exact amount as financial contributions to political parties is deliberately kept out of scope of Right to Information Act by all National Political Parties so far. This is one of the roots of corruption through which vested interests has taken control over governance.


Taxi rebellion in Goa is a genuine rebelling of middle class in Goa with their own leadership and only those with empathic sense will be able to reach out to them and support.


I am gonna stay with candle in my hands amidst darkness all around eminating light bright even though it's not a sunshine, yet. 


Struggle continues. Your option and decision today matters for how we shape Goa tomorrow. 


I have made my options clear.


Dr. S. A. Rodrigues 


Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Call to defend Sinquerim river

20 May 2025


To,


Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa


To,


The Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa


To,


Director of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Paryatan Bhavan,

Panaji, Goa



Subject: Call to cease all water sports/tourism canoes operations in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31



Sir/Madam,


It has been brought to our attention at National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) through our affiliate Union in Goa namely All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) that over the past three years situation of Sinquerim river in Bardez is in precarious condition due to Captain of Ports unilateral decision to allow tourism water sports boats carrying tourists to operate during the months of June to August on the mouth of Sinquerim river.


From the mouth of Sinquerim river upto 2 kms inland 24 such boats with PNJ registration carry on their activities in the monsoon season which is also fishing ban period. Fishing ban was introduced with the intention to allow fish breeding in marine waters free from disturbance of high HP outboard engines and mechanised fishing. Allowing tourism canoes to operate in river with 40 HP outboard engine therefore is an open mockery of the very intention of fishing ban to ensure undisturbed fishing breeding season.


It has been brought to our attention by members of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union who are actively involved in fishing in Sinquerim river that such plying of tourism canoes with permission from Captain of Ports has disrupted Fisheries of the river as 24 canoes operating with tourists on board with 40 HP outboard motor on the mouth of Sinquerim river past three years. Such activities prevents fish from entering mouth of Sinquerim river as that space is kept non-stop disrupted by tourism canoes with 40 HP ourboard engine.


For the past three years this has been the situation that led both the disruption of fish breeding in Sinquerim river as well as negatively affecting local fishing communities in Sinquerim, Candolim and Nerul. Tourism cannot take preference over fishing in Sinquerim river during monsoon fishing ban and we strongly object to such priorities.


Captain of Ports office therefore urged to identify canoes permitted to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August 2025 and withdraw whatever permission granted to those canoes.


Please ensure that no water sports canoes are allowed to operate in Sinquerim river from June to August henceforth.


We also wish to bring to your attention that India is signatory to Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VG-SSF Guidelines) from 2013 onwards (https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/edfffbfc-81e5-4208-a36f-334ff81ac10f/content). This is an International law that Government of India has declared Implimentable in India through National Policy on Marine Fisheries 2017. According to section 5.5 of VG-SSF Guidelines "States should recognize the role of small-scale fishing communities and Indigenous people to restore, conserve, protect and co-manage local aquatic and coastal eco-systems."


So protection of Sinquerim river is priority for us and we are holding your office accountable to ensure that Sinquerim river Fisheries is protected.


The Sinquerim river is used for fishing purpose during monsoon by over 350 local fishers. However decision of Captain of Ports to grant permissions for canoes during monsoon ban past three years has been without consultation with fishing communities and against the interests of fishing communities locally.


According to section 1.2 of VG-SSF Guidelines it's right of fishers to participate in decision-making process and to assume responsibilities for sustainable use of fishery resources. Your office is urged to take note of this and act to ensure small-scale fisheries remains economically, socially and environmentally sustainable as per section 1.1 (d) of VG-SSF Guidelines.


You are also directed to section 3 (11) wherein Eco-system Approach to Fisheries (EAF) is adopted as an important guiding principle to ensure fishing based livelihoods  of small-scale fishing communities are protected.


Captain of Ports and Director of Tourim are urged to cease all operations of any canoes operating in Sinquerim river with for tourism purposes henceforth from June 01 to August 31 to ensure that fish breeding process during this period remains undisturbed.


Fisheries Department is urged to defend interes of the fishing communities and object to the tourism canoes with 40 HP outboard engines that creates massive disruptions underwater due to sound waves generated.


We hope that you will take note of this letter and ensure that no tourism canoes operate in Sinquerim river from June 01 to August 31 henceforth.



Thanking you.



Yours sincerely,



Sebastiao Rodrigues

General Secretary,

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Tribute to John Agustinho Vincente Fernandes from Vanxim

He walked tall in Vanxim. I got to know him 15 years ago when Vanxim agitation broke out. Some villagers had formed a team in 2010 to wage campaign to defend their island. This team was known as "Ilha de Vanxim Association". Uncle John was one of the integral part of this formation that organised three public meetings in front of Vanxim Church in late 2010.


He continued his support what Bharat Mukti Morcha, Goa Unit got actively engaged in defence of Vanxim with leadership powers delegated to Margarida Silveira in 2011.


John Fernandes gave all that was required organisational and prayer support to defend Vanxim Island.


15 years ago when Vanxim agitation began to create waves across Goa John Fernandes was 72 years young. At that age he demonstrated capacity and ability to take stand in defence of Vanxim. He gave all the necessary co-operation to late Margarida Silveira in every way possible. 


Within all his limitations John Fernandes stood taller than his height. His defence of Vanxim as I know him personally was uncompromising till his health permitted him to do so.


At an annual prayer service Ladainha to cross in front of his Vanxim house he always prayed for defence and protection of Vanxim island from all the predators around.


In his death his resounding voice will always be missed. Yet his uncompromising stand in defence of Vanxim has created another stream of legacy that enriches legacy left before us by Margarida Silveira in defence of Vanxim Island. These are the legacies that transcends death.


His life teaches us that it's possible for a man to walk tall against the tide even it means to begin at 72 and end at 87. Apart from everything else this is something that I would always remember and respect Uncle John - as I used to call him - for what his contributions was to defend Vanxim specially during those turbulent times from 2010 to 2019. May God grant eternal rest unto his soul. 


God granted him rare privilege to be born in 1938 and to be recalled in 2025 on the same day of 4th May. His life is confluence of joy and sorrow merged into one at its zenith.


My heartfelt condolences to all his family members at home - Dorothy, Gregory, Jelton, Judy, Kimberly, Denzil, Effie, Nia and Rebecca - those that cared and loved.


Thank you and Good bye uncle John for all that you have been to your family and to Vanxim in your unassuming yet significant ways.


May your long life be a candle of light to all that seek inspiration for the choices that you made to defend your beloved Vanxim Island.


Sebastian Rodrigues

Wednesday, 30 April 2025

Pending fishing subsidies for the year 2023.

30.04.2025


To,


Director of Fisheries,

Panaji, Goa


Subject: Pending fishing subsidies for the year 2023


Madam,


We already had two rounds of meeting with the staff of your office over the past two months to sort out the above matter. And we have failed to convince the Goa Government through your office to disburse all the fishing subsidies pending for the year 2023.


It has come to our attention that 40 Scheduled Tribes (ST) fishers from Tiswadi block are deprived of their rightful fishing subsidies. After inquiries into your office we were told that these subsidy files were sent to Chief Minister's office and it is there where these files were blocked. 


This action of Goa Chief Minister's office proves that it shares terrible bias against fishing communities and indulged in sabotage by blocking subsidies files and allowing funds to return to central government. 


We are deeply pained at the conduct of the Chief Minister's office and express our disapproval to Chief Minister's office involved deliberately in sabotage against Goa's fishing communities.


We call upon your office to continuesly follow up this matter and we will follow-up with your office being directly responsible to fishing communities of Goa.



Thanking You.


Yours Truly,



Shaila D'mello 

President,

AGSSRFU 




Laximan Mangueshkar, 

Secretary,

AGSSRFU