Morjim fishermen silence Goa Fisheries minister on National Waterways issue

There was a meeting held on the 5th of Jan 2018 by the fisheries department.  In Morjim for the purpose of hearing the grievances of the fisherman of Pernem taluka. There were fisherman mostly from Morjim  and some even from Keri.

The Goa Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyenkar was present along with Dayanand Sopte MLA of Mandrem.

In the meeting the fisherman put down there grievances and also stated that there was a certain person known as "gautam singhania" who comes with his fleet of jets-ski in the river Chapora and disrupts the local fishing and the coastal police take no action.  

The people also complained about a certain  floating restaurant called (waterman) that is anchored in the river Chapora and that it plays loud music and stob lights disrupting the local way of living and affects the sensitivity of the eco-system of the river 

The fisheries Minister was also asked about the nationalization of rivers and especially the river Chapora and that if it is allowed it will affect the local fishing to a great degree. On hearing this the fisheries Minister said that such a thing was impossible. One person at the meeting  pointed out the exact article of the MoU before the legislative assembly that seeks to restrict fishing activities.

On hearing this Minister said that he promises in the name of the local temple that such a thing will not be allowed. 

One person at the meeting pointed out that his promise stands for nothing and that his promise has no power in front of the law. To this the minister had no answer.

After this the fisherman gave the minister the letter that stated that the village of Morjim  is against the nationalization the river Chapora.

Aaron Fernandes

Call to set up Fisheries Defence Study Cell at Directorate of Fisheries

Date: 14/12/2017

To,

The Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Secretariate, Porvorim,

Goa

Subject: Call to set up Fisheries Defence Study Cell at Directorate of Fisheries

Sir,

We congratulate you for your firm and effective action in restoring law and order in  River Zuari. We also thank you for speaking out publicly in defence of traditional fishermen and stopping Trawlers and mini per seine boats from plundering Zuari River. We also thank all the staff of Fisheries department as well as OSD to your office Durgadas Kamat who worked as team to attain these results. We also thank Talegao MLA Jennifer Monsorrate as well Town and Country Planning Minister Vijay Sardessai for their supportive roles towards defence of River Zuari and fishing in it from 15/11/2017. We also appreciate Govind Jaiswal IAS for the way he has handled Fisheries Department specially dealing with response in action to all our complaints relating to Trawlers and mini per seine boats fishing in Zuari illegally as well as environmentally hostile manner.

After attaining splendid results from 29/11/2017 we were shocked to read media reports calling for your resignations as fisheries minister. We have taken note of your conversation with our Cacra Convenor Sanjay Perreira on the subject and had special meeting to disscuss the issues raised by few from All Goa Fishermen's Forum. We found merit in most of the points reported in newspapers (Lokmat and  Navhind Times) of 07/12/2017 but we have no competency to comment except in one issue.

Former Velim MLA Benjamin Silva who is also the President of Cutbona Fishermens Co-operative Society has accused you for speaking without studying. You also spoke vocally on our issues in Zuari about illegal trawlers and illegal mini per seine boats and therefore we find it our duty to intervene here to request you to apply your mind thoughtfully.

We noted that Fisheries department even though has staff of 203 people its orientation is restricted alrgely to Subsidies and Schemes. After our complaints enforcement orientation has come to the fore as important aspect along with ripples. The Fisheries department must now widen its orientation to include study aspect. BMM therefore requests you to set rolling orientation on Studies on Threats to Fishing activities. We attach here review of the book 'An unnatural history of  Sea' by Callum Roberts as our first contribution towards setting up Fisheries Defence Study Cell. You may order copy of the book for you personally or to your office from internet sources. You are requested to read and discuss this in groups, share it to organisations of fishermen, With Chief minister and other cabinet ministers and MLAs, ex-MLAs and public, holding study cum reflections sessions much more rigorously with wide publicity. It is very important to do this in the interest of defense of fisheries as well as fishermen in Goa.

The perspective outlined in the book is global threat to fisheries and initiation of discussions on this will be step forward after exhibition of fish variety and habitats from various parts of the World at the just concluded mega fish festival 2017 in Panjim organised by Fisheries department.

Hoping for your positive response in long term interest of defense of fisheries in Goa,

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Maggie Silveira,

President, Goa State

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra unit

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim unit

Socorro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener, Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener, Nauxi unit

Ms. Kalpana Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary, Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Honu Divkar,

Co-convener,Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary,Nauxi Unit

Yeshwant Shirvoikar,

Co-convener,Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener, Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,Nauxim Unit

Ms. Jaya Kuttikar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Jonu Shirvoikar,

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Uttam Martins

Co-convenor, Cacra unit

Rohit Hadkonkar,

Co-convenor,  Bambolim unit

Sanju Diukar,

Co-convenor, Odxel unit

Chandranath Rosario,

Co-convenor, Cacra unit

Vijay Sawant,

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ragunath Sautodkar,

Co-convenor, Cacra Unit

Ms. Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener, Cacra Unit

Ashok Kukalkar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Ganashyam Diukar

Co-convenor, Odxel Unit

Mahadev Andre Rosario

Co-convenor, Nauxim Unit

Police investigations on BMM?

Just received information reveals that Goa Police CID has launched secret investigations on office bearers of Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) Goa Unit. People going to get the pass port clearances to police department are questioned about Bharat Mukti Morcha office bearers. 

In one instance that has come to our attention and we wish to share publicly is of one such policemen named Nitesh Borkar, CID, Police Headquarters, Panjim mobile number 7057088272. He is reported to have investigating travel mode and source of livelihood of Bharat Mukti Morcha Goa President Maggie Silveira. For nearly five days two policemen were posted this week at Vanxim Amboi Ferry point near Hotel Devaya to check mode of travel and vehicle number plate. Policemen did not bother to report release of sewage from Devaya Hotel into Mandovi river nor siphoning of water pipeline coming to Vanxim island by Devaya Hotel. Neither police nor one who put police on this task is really bothered about these issues.

Bharat Mukti Morcha will hold Goa Police CID responsible in case anything untoward occurs to any of the BMM office bearers all over the Goa. This insecurity with Goa police has triggered after BMM press conference on November 14, 2017 issued a statement against India's shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Environment Minister of India Harsh Vardhan and Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar. To read this critical statement click here. BMM will not cow down and request police to contact BMM office bearers directly instead of beating around the bush. BMM do not consider police as our enemy. BMM enemy is Bamon Raj and freedom from this Raj is our birth right and we will achieve it. 

Indian Politics currently operates in non-transparent manner as political parties are excluded from the ambit of Right to Information Act.

Is IOP Confusion as vast and deep as Indian Ocean ?

On 12^th June 2017 from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm we had a visit from three People Asha Naik, Datraraj Kerker and Goa State Youth Vice President of Indian Oceanic Party Rama Shetkar. They had come to tell us to join their newly formed Political Party. After asking them about the Party ideology they gave us one page in Hindi containing global message of its National President C.P. Vyas. They did not give us the Constitution of the Party nor Manifesto of the Party. The speech though emotive ideologically is inclined towards Brahmanism. We present some points in this direction from the Vyas Global message from the perspective of mulnivasis.

No mention of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar

There is no mention of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar as one of the inspiring figure to the Party. There is a suspicion that this Party is tilted towards Brahmanism. This is significant considering that Ambedkar along with his predecessors Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phooley and Savitribai Phooley fought for freedom from Brahmins with support from British. While Nehru-Gandhi-Gokhale after fought British to attain freedom for Brahmins after they failed to get share in rule.

Valmiki, the divine light of the Party?

Party thinks of non discrimination on Jatis and Religions. Jatis are different from Varnas which are four: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vyasha and Shudra. Jatis are several splits orchestrated by Brahmins amongst Shudra to keep them perennially divided. They feel insecure and hence they keep them divided. Shudras is Sanskrit word for ‘Slaves’. Persian word for slave is ‘Hindu’. The word Hindusthan means land of slaves. 

At the same time text of this speech mentions that Vyas is moving ahead in divine light of Maharshi Valmiki. Valmiki was a State Poet in the Kingdom of Pushya Mitra Sung established after Brahmins destroyed revolution by murder of King Brudatt and established Ayodhya as headquarters of his counter-revolutionary kingdom. Valmiki wrote literary works ‘Ramayana’ in which he defended Varna system. Rama is written as dripping molten lead in the ears of studious non-brahmin native Shambook at the instigation of Brahmins; for Shambook was studying and Brahmins kingdom as per manusmriti denies education to Shudras. Rama is thus presented in Ramayana as defender of Bamon Raj. Now when C.P. Vyas is moving in this ‘divine’ light that defends Bamon Raj should natives of India join hands with it?

Location of roots of Violence and Injustice

Ramayana has seeds and examples of Violence as well as injustice from Brahmins to Shudras. Yet Vyas message ends with call to youth to be part of youth rights revolution and do away with Violence and Injustice from their roots. Now, when an epic of Violence and Injustice - Ramayana is a moving light for Vyas his call to Youth is meaningless directed to misguide and destroy.

Is Gandhi messenger of non-Violence?

For Vyas one of the inspirations is Gandhi and he wants to convince us that we are belonging to his vanvs. Vyas describes Gandhi as a messenger of Love, non-violence and brotherhood. This is surprising though popular notion peddled though Vyas speech. Vyas overlooks the fact that it was Gandhi who gave order for Violence in 1942: Do or Die! And amount of Violence triggered against British officials at all levels was remarkable. This violence created such huge damage that British in just a half decade from carried on Transfer of Power to Brahmins, and packed off from India.

When Gandhi betrayed Bhagat Singh

Along with Gandhi another inspiration listed with picture is of Bhagat Singh for the nationalistic reasons. We wonder how Gandhi and Bhagat Singh can be joint inspirations for Vyas. Gandhi never defended Bhagat Singh in his acts and in fact opposed him to such an extend that Gandhi stayed silent as Bhagat Singh was hanged Lahore Jail in today’s Pakistan. Bhagat Singh wrote a famous book “Why I am an Atheist” and was led to commit violent bombing of the Assembly in British India even though there were no casualties.

Concealed Masonic identity of Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekanand, Freemason is another inspiration for Vyas as he belied that he was world teacher. There is very little discussion or information shared in the speech on Vivekanand’s degree in Freemasonry. We wonder why.

Aryabhatta, a product of Revolution of Gautam Buddha

Aryabatta is another listed as inspiring world teacher. Aryabatta was a product of vibrant University system in Ancient India that came up after Brahmanism and rule of Manusmriti was overthrown by massive movements led by Gautama Mahavira and Gautama Buddhas. Science was research was major gift of Buddha’s revolution in India that led to a period when Maurya Empire ruled. Several Universities pioneering scientific temper rose up : Taxasheela, Vikramsheela and Nalanda are three renowned examples. Aryabatta who discovered zero was a product of this system of education. It was during this time India was known as Golden Bird. This system perished after the Brahmins re-established their rule in the form of Pushamitra Sungh. Bikkus were massacred all over India. University system that attracted scholars from all over the world was set on fire and was left burning for several months. If Aryabatta had to rise up again in India then the rule of Shudras has to be established again. For this Vyas has closed mind at least visible from his printed message in Hindi. Jyotibha Phule, Periyar, Shahu Maharaja, Ambedkar are not amongst those inspiring Vyas. Entire orientation of Vyas is a variant of Brahmanism. We wonder: why?

Vinobha Bhave - a response to dilute radical land reform movement

Vinobha Bhave is another figure mentioned as inspiring Vyas to view society together. This must be reflected upon as Bhave led Bhoodan movement in India as a response to radical movement advocating land reforms in India. He allegedly convinced Zamindars to give away mostly unproductive, uncultivable lands that they had captured over the years to the poor politically conscious masses. Bhave protected interest of Brahmins from en mass confiscation of their land by poor shudra peasants.

Cost of India as Economic Power

Vyas foresees India as economic power in near future. What’s the cost of this to masses of the country specially the Adivasis, SC and OBCs people? Vyas is silent on the topic. What is the cost of this growth of India as economic power on ecology? Vyas does not say anything.

Do nation dream or groups dream?

Vyas speaks of Dream of the Nation. One must ask him to list out what he considers as ‘dreams of the nation’. What is the dream of nation in current age of Anthropocene for the planet earth? Earth dreams of shut down of all the industries of the world. Who dreams on behalf of the nation?

Call to the nationalist

Vyas gives out a call to those nationalists with wish and capacity to free society of corruption, terrorism, starvation, hopelessness, unemployment, rapes, murders, intrusion, draught and floods. All these are products of rule of Congress and BJP, the two parties with their alliances under control of Brahmins in India. Brahmins now realized that both these Parties are discredited and they would not be able to manipulate EVMs non-stop to perpetuate their rule though these two Parties and allied parties. Hence new Parties are being floated. AAP is one of them and this Indian Oceanic Party has sufficient indicators in the global message of C.P.Vyas, it follow the same path. He is trying to cultivate Indian Nationalism by carefully protecting those responsible for sabotage of Indian nation over the centuries. Or else just refer to Manusmriti, a book of Brahmanical supremacy that Rama in Ramayana defends.

Vyas for nation of Brahmin Supremacy?

When Vyas himself adores Ramayana that protects and defends Brahmanical supremacy how do Vyas expect everyone to come together on one platform without Vyas renouncing divine path of Maharshi Valmiki?

Is Goa a nation?

One Goa centric point that must be made here as Vyas has come out with global message to Indians. Global Status of Goa as per United Nations Organizations is that Goa is a Colony of India. It was due to Veto power exercised by USSR on the night of December 18, 1961 that defeated UN condemnation of Invasion of Goa by India via its resolution 988. So officially Goa is part of India due to Veto power of USSR. Vyas has not made any comments on this in his message in Hindi circulated in Goa. Should India be allowed to forget this? Should Goa forget this? Should anyone forget this? No!

Conclusion

Indian Oceanic Party is confused in their orientation. Their broad orientation is towards strengthening o Bamon Raj. BMM disagrees with Party position in completion. Its yellow pamphlet in Hindi raises more questions that needs answers even though slogans are catchy and pitches for Truth: "Sacchayee ki tasveer bano" (Be a picture of truth) and "Majboor nahi majbooth bano" (Be strong rather than miserable). This criticism is written to seek truth for Truth sets us free. Truth is revealed through questions. Perhaps there is too much confusion as vast and deep as Indian Ocean. Lets await for a written response from Indian Ocean Party on its theory presented on yellow paper we have shared here as we received it. We are sure Bhagat Singh whose picture is printed on top of the pamphlet would have raised these questions and even perhaps more. Bhagat Singh was fierce critic of religion and even wrote a book "Why I am an Atheist?" Surely Bhagat Singh would instantly object to Maharshi Valmiki providing divine light to the IOP President. To print Bhagat Singh's picture on this pamphlet amounts to hijacking of Bhagat Singh's thought. Only those who do not suffer from lack of goodwill and lack of intellectual bankruptcy will talk this truth out which Vyas and leaders of IOP in India and Goa may like. Yet for the reason of upholding of truth we speak out forthrightly. This is contribution from BMM to Goa and India as well. 

Arrested Sabaji Shetye's Vanxim connections must be probed

On June 06, 2017 evening media broke the news that Additional Collector Sabaji Shetye arrested by Anti-Corruption Bureau. He allegedly demanded the bribe of Rs. 1.50 lakh but was paid Rs.25,000/- to process N.O.C for explosive license. News spread like a wild fire across Goa and beyond particularly because he was known to operate suspicious manner but was never caught by authorities. 

We know him from the time he was a deputy Collector in Panjim. It was his court that Vanxim tenancy cases were heard for the Condonation of delay to re-start the proceedings in 1995 cases. Sabaji Shetye played this role in highly suspicious manner. Sabaji one by one went on passing orders granting condonation of delay to benefit Mahendra Gaunekar and Ozone corporate after the office of the Archbishop betrayed People of Vanxim by selling island bunds and Paddy fields to Mahendra Gaunekar in highly secretive manner.

We know the conduct of Sabaji Shetye in Ligorio Silveira v/s Mahendra Gaunekar case No: TNC/DYCL/APPL/74/2009. He granted condonation of delay even though he had no powers to do so. In fact it was then Lawyer of Mahendra Gaunekar who is now a High Court Judge  pointed out in Administrative Tribunal President that the office of the Deputy Collector has no powers to grant condonation of delay.

In this manner Sabaji Shetye has betrayed public. Now we know that he has a habit of accepting bribe. It is plausible to conclude from his conduct in Ligorio Silveira case, and other Vanxim cases that Sabaji Shetye has accepted the favors in kind or cash to pass order granting condonation of delay favoring Mahendra Gaunekar. This he did even without powers to do so. Powers lies with Administrative Tribunal.

Now that Sabaji Shetye’s character is publicly exposed it is a must that all his decisions be reviewed; for he played a role of tiny conduit strip down Vanxim tenants of the legal titles by subjecting them to prolonged litigations. It is based on Sabaji Shetye’s mischief that Vanxim people are deprived of land titles of their land. The question is; how much money Sabaji has taken from Mahendra Gaunekar or his agents in order to grant condonation of delay?

It is because of this situation that Vanxim has been punished through inclusion under Investment Promotion Board. Board members led by Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa are under what Giorgos Kallis calls the spell of “Growth Curse”.  Its pretty evident that he is under the spell of Growth curse considering that he doesn’t care for butchering of several hundreds of trees to expand highways connecting Agassaim to Verna for a new Zuari bridge. Cortalim highway stretch has witnessed mass cutting down of trees too. Earlier nearly 100 trees were cut down to widen the road from Bambolim to Dona Paula via Goa University. Now, additionally 900 trees are declared will be cut down to widen highway connecting Cortalim to Vasco by Public Works Department (PWD) headed by Minister Sudhin Dhavlekar.  When there are already tow functioning bridges over Mandovi there was no need to construct the third one by wasting public financial resources.

Goa Government is sending its annual jaunts to Cannes in France to learn as to how to go about organizing International Film Festival of India (IFFI). How come it never came in the mind of Goa Government think tanks learn lessons from Grenoble city in France that has replaced Bill boards with trees? Why the nasty Billboard are occupying spaces in Goa next to public road while trees are being cut down? Why these Billboards are not razed to the ground, uprooted and trees planted?

IFFI has only extended underworld mafia from Bombay to Goa and today controls number of Politicians in insidious manner. This is the reason as to why Gambling legalized in Goa by BJP supported Francisco Sardinha government in 1990s still continues to wreck havoc with social, economic, cultural and ecological fabric of Goa. 

Anyway, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is not alone to be spell bound by Growth Curse. The rest of members too are equally likely to be under the curse. They are Tourism Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Industries Minister Rohan Khunte, and Representatives from Industry on IPB Atrey Sawant, Ernest Dias, Yatin Kakodkar, Girish Bharne, Rajkumar Kamat and Kaman Shekar Sardessai. The IAS officers who are on the board are Secretary (Industry) and Secretary (Tourism) whose unofficial role is to collect money bags for Central Government on the same lines that Manohar Parrikar said sometime ago that MoEF officials are collecting brief cases to grant EC clearances to mining companies in Goa. Same logic applies to IPB. 

According to highly placed source at IPB, the political role of handing over large tracks of Goa’s land for corporate houses is to make sure that Goa is ruled by non-Goans in next five years and students passing out from Engineering Colleges in are gainfully employed in Goa.  In fact it looks that the essential qualification needed to be on IPB is to be under Growth Curse spell. Sabaji Shetye played his role to please his masters – political and economic. Now it is surprising that he is caught red handed in bribery case; perhaps he was becoming too greedy and keeping all the booty from corruption to himself without demanded share by higher ups. 

Now with Sabaji Shetye’s arrest all the orders he passed have now come under nail of suspicion. His orders condoning delays in Vanxim tenancy cases involving Mahendra Gaunekar must be revoked and land titles reverted back to the People of Vanxim. This is a rare occasion for the State and the Archbishop of Goa to apply their minds and embark on correction path as corruption and bribery of Sabaji Shetye is caught red handed.

Handing over Vanxim Island for the pleasure of the rich by putting Five star hotel and luxury villas in Paddy fields and green areas is certain tragedy of the commons. According to Giorgos Kallis in his book in defence of degrowth: Opinions and Minifestos (Open Commons: March 2017) writes “ Nobel laureate in Economics Elinor Ostrom showed that the commons do not inevitably end up in tragedy and they do not have to be privatized or managed by the State. The communities she studied, more often than not, found ways to pool efforts together, devise their own institutions, and govern their shared resources sustainably.”

Archbishop of Goa talks often of nurturing of small christian communities but cares a damn that his office has sold off Vanxim community cultivation land and fishing spaces to a neighborhood Casino Gambler at Altinho, Panjim where Archbishop resides to gamble his way through at the cost of Public Interest. In sale deed as well as in Agreement to sale it is carefully concealed that buyer of Vanxim is Archbishop's neighbour in Altinho, Panjim.

Disgusting state of affairs as this is not the first time Goa Archbishop’s office has done things this way. Why till date lead of secrecy is not lifted on the documents related to Vanxim sale? Why the office of Archbishop has created situation to put itself in public embarrassment? Why the office of the Goa Archbishop kept letters it sent to Vatican asking permissions from Pope John Paul II with all attached documents kept in concealed state? Why letter from the office of Pope John Paul II authorizing sale of Vanxim kept secret? Pope John Paul II is now a saint and it is strange that this correspondence has been kept secret?

The way nexus of the office of the Goa Archbishop is involved with corporate and negotiated the State agencies is a way to consolidate its path to Capitalism. Giorgos Kallis has put the context very succinctly “The frightening reality is that capitalism is a mad joke peddled by money-addicts with no clue of why they are doing what they are doing, other than that they are doing it and that they have to keep doing it.” Vanxim fits the bill.

Sabaji Shetye is not alone Government officer under scanner on Vanxim scam. Sanjeev Desai too is involved. You may click here for more on him. No Goa government officer involved in Vanxim scam must go unpunished.

Components of Goa's illegitimate government

Goa enters into mass betrayal of its masses

1.       In Pernem Babu Azgaonkar of MGP won defeating Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar of BJP by margin of 6030 votes

2.       In Siolim Vinod Palyekar of GFP won defeating Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar of BJP by 1441 votes.

3.       In Saligao Jayesh Salgaonkar of GFP won defeating Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar of BJP by 2137 votes. Before the elections he even declared BJP as evil, as Ghann (rotting garbage) and even if GFP decides to support he will not.

4.       In Porvorim Rohan Khute, an independent won for second term defeating Guruprasad Pawaskar of BJP by 4213 votes.

5.       In Marcaim Ramkrishna Dhavlikar of MGP and PWD Minister won defeating Pradeep Shet of BJP by 13680 votes.

6.       In Fatorda Vijay Sardesai of GFP won defeating Damu G Naik by 1334 votes.

7.       In Benaulim Churchill Alemao of NCP won defeating Royella Fernandes of AAP by 4191 votes. BJP supported independent candidate Caitu Silva finished third.

8.       In Salovordem Deepak Prabhu Pauskar of MGP won defeating Ganesh Gaonkar of BJP by 5221 votes.

9.       In Sanguem Prasad Gaonkar, and Independent candidate won defeating Subhash Fal Desai of BJP by 937 votes.

10.   In Valpoi Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane of INC won defeating Satyavijay Subrai Naik of BJP by 5678 votes. He took oath of office as MLA and then abstained from voting in vote of confidence, resigned and then going to take over as cabinet Minister in Manohar Parrikar government. 

Manohar Parrikar himself is Rajya Sabha MP from Lucknow.

We do not know as to what is the motivation of these elected members of the Goa Legislative Assembly to betray People of Goa at such a massive scale in a manner most non-deceptive in the history of Goa. However we present the status as it is. Is this Bamon Raj ?

Voters in Goa gets treatment as washroom tissue paper

It is perhaps for the first time in history of Democracy in Goa that voters are treated on par with tissue paper - use and discard. The recent electoral results for Goa Assembly gave just 13 seats out of 40 to BJP. Yet it went ahead and formed the Government reportedly with the support of MGP, NCP and GF both won three seats each based on their electoral victory against BJP party. Others who supported are 04 independents three of whom elected defeating BJP candidates and one defeating MGP candidate.

Non-deceptive betrayal of Goan voters by moving Indian Defense Minister Parrikar to Goa as Chief Minister has fuelled the crisis of legitimacy to the State Government. Supreme Court direction curtailing limits to prove the majority on the floor of the house to three has further created tensions for the newly installed cabinet without portfolios.

It is now left to mining companies to play their cards in the background to curtail public unrest spreading rapidly across the state of Goa. Popular slogan of protest exposes very clearly the biases involved in ruling coalition: Bamon, Bamonkar and Bamonponn. New coalition is largely looked upon as dictatorship of Bamons in Goa.

Vijay Sardessai has outsmarted Manohar Parrikar in U-turn potitics as GF leader. After spitting venom on BJP Vjay opted to call Manohar Parrikar to Goa as Chief Minister and was sworn-in on March 14, 2017. Govind Gawde, an Independent defeated MGP leader Dhavlikar and inducted into cabinet to rule. Saligao and Siolim candidates were elected as GF candidates on clear mandate to oppose BJP, has cause terrible betrayal of voters and generated waves of unrest. Waves now threatening to reach far and wide and may anytime grow into a tornado.

Rohan Khaunte got elected from Porvorim as Independent with support of Congress Party and then changed his mind to support BJP. Churchill Alemao the sole NCP candidate too has reportedly decided to support BJP. Surprising? Sanguem Independent who won the elections Prasad Gaonkar, ST defeated both Congress and BJP has betrayed his electorate and without consulting his voters issued letter of support to BJP making mockery of his victory signaling huge intellectual bankruptcy.

BJP was on rampage looting Goa. Perhaps even more smartly than Congress looted Goa before them and lost major part of its cabinet including CM Laxmikant Parsekar and second in command Rajendra Arlekar both in Pernem. Pernem people has done commanding job revolting against both the sitting MLAs of BJP.

Sudin Dhavlikar of MGP who was aspiring to be Chief Minister was left with just three seats and was left to play gamble with Manohar Parrikar. For the first time Goa Assembly after issuing license to seven casinos in Mandovi itself resembles Casino with massive unethical practices.

At the core of issue - as in Siolim constituency where Vinod Palyekar was elected to oppose BJP -can elected representative resort to unethical practices by resorting to policies completely opposite to what was promised? Surely in Siolim people elected Palyekar not only to defeat sitting MLA Mandrekar but also to defeat BJP in the State of Goa. Can Palyekar take his own decision and embarce BJP ? He cannot. What he and his two colleagues in GF Jayesh Salgaonkar in Saligao and Vijay Sardessai in Fatorda has done is completely unethical and shameful. 

For the first time betrayal of Public is creating waves of unrest and this can lead to far reaching consequences not only for elected candidates but for the future of democracy itself. The way three Bamons (Sudin Dhavlikar, Manohar Parrikar and Vijay Sardessai) have collaborated is not just get themselves and their parties in power but also ushered in death of Democracy. The way Governor acted and Constitution of India was interpreted has left general public of Goa dump struck. 

There is certain hesitancy on part of BJP to sit in the opposition. It has tasted power for past years and now addicted to power. Its worth remembering what Lord Atkin said more than hundred years ago "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupt absolutely." Now BJP even though voted out of power reducing their seats from 21 to 13 still want to hang on. Why? Addiction to power!

If GF, Independents, BJP, MGP does not give up their greed for power and persists in continuing in power then it can safely be construed as coup d’état against the People of Goa and ushering in the reign of oppression and Bamani tyranny. It must be remembered that in the face of oppression rebellion is a duty. Bharat Mukti Morcha considers ongoing developments in Goa Politics as struggle against Bamon Raj and needs to be destroyed completely with Public as subject of history. Politicians must not be allowed to kick around People of Goa as they have done ever since declaration of results on March 11, 2017 violating electoral commitments in position and ideology.

There is no truth in this government. High Manipulation, fraudulent, no trust, no faith, no abiding in Cosntinutional norms, BJP does what they want.We people of Goa as Goenkars must be smart at least now and voice out; when required action is vital.

Our Constituion gives us freedom of Speech and expression. So all of us must express our views especially about this BJP government. Let us not be chamchas of BJP. We must speak up. It is important and very crucial.

The way representative democracy has unfolded is terrible. Its perhaps time for direct democracy to usher in.

Call to stop Aquasail water sports activities in Zuari River

Date: 19^th April 2016

To,

The Governor of Goa,

Raj Bhavan, Cabo,

Dona Paula, Goa

To,

The Chief Minister

Government of Goa

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Leader of the Opposition,

Goa Legislative Assembly,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Fisheries)

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary & Commissioner (Ports)

Government of Goa,

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Director of Fisheries,

Panjim, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Panjim, Goa

Subject:  Call to stop Aquasail water sports activities in Zuari River

1.      For past two and half months there is continues violation fishing rights in Zuari due to water sports carried near Bambolim – Nauxim villages by Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd.

2.      Today is 19^th April 2016. On this very day in 2014 traditional fisherman Vishnu Kankonkar was violently treated with slap on his face by then Agassaim Police Inspector Devendra Gad on Bambolim Beach on behalf of this corporate. So far no action has been taken against Devendra Gad for taking law in his hand.  Why?

3.      The root of this conflict lies in clash between tourism and fishing in Zuari river. We have examined the available records under RTI from various government agencies and we now are filing comprehensive complaints before you for your immediate action. Noting dated April 07, 2014 from the then Chief Minister of Goa and current Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar that gave final approval for the Aquasail to operate water sports activities in Zuari River. ‘Permissions has been issued to 40 units which involve some inflatable boats, wind surfing boards, laser fun boats and kayay. In 2015 after repeated complaints against Aquasail Secretary (Fisheries) placed internal noting on August 21, 2015 that reads “Before issuance of renewal of NOC, we can have a meeting as proposed by Dir (Fisheries) with all the stake holders for necessary direction please.’ Then on September 28, 2015 note from the Fisheries minister Avertano Furtado states “Based on the meeting held with the Fishermen Association & AquaSail N.OC. may be granted subject to the conditions that (1) Operation time may be restricted from 9.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m. (2) Compensation to be paid in full to the Fishermen for any damage caused to the nets etc by AquaSail.” So we have a situation that in 2014 Fisheries Minister allowed Chief Minister to take decision. In 2015 he took the decision himself.

4.      Also ideology of compensation has been introduced and possibilities of fishing nets disruptions are admitted. The inspection report of Superintendent of Fisheries (Enforcement) and Fisheries Officer is reported after inspecting conflict site that sailing activities did not destroy the nets of the fishermen and it is totally pollution free.  The issue was never about pollution due to water sports the issue was and continues is of disturbances of fishing activities as the currently water sports activities are carried on at space what is known get abundant fish catch. Reports from Fisheries department are deliberately distractive and misleading.

5.      Traditional Fishermen in Zuari River has been writing number letters to the Fisheries Department complaining about water sports activities in Zuari River that has seriously undermined fishing activities. The sources of this conflict can immediately be traced to a legal instrument created at the sub-registrar office in Panjim on 28/09/2011. This agreement is between Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited and Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd. Closer examination of this agreement reveals that there is nothing Goan about the Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited. This is a public limited company incorporated and registered under Companies Act, 1956, a part of DB Group of Companies with registered office address as DB House, Gen. A.K.Vaidya Marg, Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400063. On 02/07/2011 it took a resolution that Mr.Firoz Pathan, 36, Son of Haji Khan, Indian National, resident of 16/2, Al Amin Park – Vatva, Ahmedabad, Gujarat to represent this company in his capacity as Manager Engineer (Operations).

6.      Similarly Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt Ltd is also a company incorporated and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 at the office of Assistant Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra, Mumbai. It has registered office at 2J, Calcot House, 2^nd Floor, 8 Muddanna P. Shetty Marg, Fort, Mumbai. 400023. It took resolution on 19/09/2011 to authorize its company director Sahkeel Kundrolli, 51, businessman, son of Rashid Kudrolli, Indian National, resident at 17/C, Usha Sadan, Colaba Post Office, Mumbai to represent the company. Short description of the company as available in this agreement itself is as follows:

“Aquasail is engaged in the business of providing high quality experience in water sports and a host of products and services in relation thereto.”

7.      The description of Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited (GHCPL) is revealing too:

“Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited is developing a property at Bambolim, Goa with a hotel of 5 star facilities, large conference facility, restaurants and Villas and has engaged Hyatt group of Hotels to manage the entire Hotel and Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited is further interested in setting up a water sports facility and for provisioning of water sports products and services in accordance with terms and conditions set out in the agreement”

8.      There is one more interesting bit of information in this agreement in facilities.

“Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited is the legal and beneficial  owner of the Bambolim property being land admeasuring 94,011 sq.mts of village Bambolim, at survey Nos. 12/1, 12/2 & 99/2, Goa.[1]”

9.      This legal agreement carried on without consulting fishermen in Zuari has certain obligations placed on Aquasail that is in direct conflict with traditional fishermen in this river. Aqusail will have to conduct water sports ‘products’ and ‘services’. These are Sailing, Kayaking, Power boating, Wake boarding, Wind surfing and other beach sports, Personal Water Crafts, Scuba Diving (Only from sailing season of 2012 onwards), International Standard training courses in various water sports, Corporate events, celebrity events, and any other Events/ Activities related to water sports[2].

10.  The term of this agreement is for a decade:

“Subject to the term of this Agreement shall remain valid for a period of 60 (sixty) months from the date of execution hereof (“Term”) and shall be automatically renewed for another 60 (sixty) months unless the non renewal is communicated by either party to the other in writing at least 90 (ninety) days prior to the expiry date of the Term.[3]”

11.  Letter dated 01/06/2013 from Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited to Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd specifies the date of commencement date of the Agreement  as 01/06/2013 for the period of 60 months that is upto 01/06/2018 and automatic renewal for another 60 months that is up to 01/06/2023.

12.  Business component is central to this agreement.

“Aquasail shall pay to GHCPL a sum of Rs.75,000/- per month exclusive of all applicable taxes commencing from month of October to May (Sailing Season) and a sum of Rs.40,000/- per month exclusive of all applicable taxes commencing from June to September (Off Sailing Season). The fixed charges shall be payable by Aquasail to GHCPL within 10 days of the commencement of every month. Fixed charges shall escalate at 10% per annum.[4]”

13.  There is revenue share too.

“In addition to the fixed charges, Aquasail shall pay to the GHCPL, 6% of the total gross revenue that Aquasail generates at the water sports centre during the sailing season only. Such payments shall be made to GHCPL with 10 days of the end of each sailing season[5].”

14.  None of the fishermen were aware of this agreement between the two companies from Mumbai intervening in the traditional fishing. In fact the agreement itself has very strict public disclosure policy inbuilt:

“No public release of information regarding this Agreement (including without limitation, announcements, denials, or confirmation of the placing of the services) to any third party shall be made by Aquasail, its employees, agents, officers, contractors, sub-contractors without prior approval of GHCPL for each such instance o disclosure. All copy of material relating to this Agreement which is intended for publishing and presentation in any form by Aquasail or any sub-contractor, must first be submitted in draft form to GHCPL for approval indicating the where/how it will appear.[6]”

15.  There is even more strict confidentiality clause inbuilt within the agreement.

“The terms and conditions of these Agreements including its existence would be confidential information and would not be disclosed to any third party by any of the parties hereto except that the Parties would be able to disclose the terms and conditions of this Agreement to their respective advisors or if mandated by applicable law.[7]”

16.  There are two key government departments that are involved in granting permissions for the water sports activities – Captain of Ports and Directorate of Fisheries. The available records prove that Director of Fisheries N.V.Verlekar granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) for these water sports activities on 09/01/2013 to carry on the activities from 09/01/2013 to 31/05/2013 with a condition that the sports activities shall not cause any hindrance to any fishing activities conducted by the traditional fishermen in the area. It is not sure as to whether any water sports activities were carried on during this period. Next Director of Fisheries Dr.Shamila Monteiro revoked this NOC on 26/11/2013 citing the reasons of opposition from local fishermen. The revoked NOC was reconsidered again on 15/04/2014. This came in for sharp criticism from the Fishermen of Nauxim, Bambolim, Siridao, Cacra, and Odxel (Taleigao). In a letter of 09/05/2014 to the Fisheries Minister 132 fishermen wrote:

“The fresh NOC dt. 15.4.2014 issued by the Directorate of Fisheries requires the Water sports operator to comply with various conditions, the first and foremost condition being that “The sports activities shall not cause any hindrance to any fishing activities conducted by the traditional fishermen in the area”. However this condition can never be fulfilled because by its very nature the water sports activities interferes and disrupts the fishing activities as enumerated here below:-

1)      The area around the hotel is a protected bay where fish breed and are found in abundance especially solar prawns, muddoxio, chonak etc. The sailing activities disturb the waters of the rich fishing grounds and drive away the fish. They also prevent spawning of fish and destroy the ova laid.

2)      Near the Grand Hyatt, since many decades 3 families have been placing their Rampons. Due to the water sports activities they are not now in a position to carry out their fishing activity and are left destitute as their only source of livelihood has been destroyed.

3)      The Rampons and fishing activities are based on tidal movement and not conducted at fixed/regular timings. Water sports activities are conducted daily from 6.00 a.m in the morning to 6.00 p.m. in the evening so disruption of the fishing activities is a daily occurance.

4)      Some of the Company’s sailing boats have reached as far as Siridao during the last few days. This is the area where the traditional Ramponkars put their nets but now the Ramponkars fear that fishing activities will be disrupted.

5)      The fishermen of the area are generally magkars whose nets (katai) extends to a length of minimum of 300 mts. The Company’s sailing/motor boats very often damage these nets.

Further, one of the conditions of fresh NOC issued by the Directorate of Fisheries is that “the area of water sports activities is restricted to the area marked by the competent authority”. Till date no area has been marked by any authority and the water sports boats are freely moving about, even as far as Siridao.

Due to the Water sports activities our livelihood is threatened. Please do not force us to come on the streets and agitate against the injustice that is being done to us.

Sir, we are not highly educated and some of us are even illiterate, but our knowledge of our traditional occupation, the fishing conditions, fishing timings, tidal influences is based on experience and knowledge that is coming down from generations and is not based on mere book knowledge.

We therefore humbly request you to immediately cancel the NOC granted for the water sports activities, and save our traditional fishing occupation and only source of livelihood, for which we shall be ever obliged.”

17.  State never obliged to this. Never again the permissions were revoked. In fact the permissions were granted with level of political pressure on the Director of Fisheries from the office of the Secretary to Fisheries who is an IAS officer who heads the fishing administration in Goa even though the operation of water sports became difficult on ground because of daily monitoring of fishing rights violations put in place by organized fishermen[8]. Single IAS officer Amjad Tak is holding charge currently both as Secretary to Fisheries as well as Secretary and Commissioner to Ports. Captain of Ports has granted permissions to 40 water sports boats and NOC granted by Fisheries department. Fishermen through petitioning to the Captain of Ports have created written record of their protests over water sports.

18.  Fishermen were never consulted nor are responsible for the agreement dated 28/09/2011 between Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited and Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd signed before sub-registrar, Panjim. This agreement coupled with political pressure to continues fishing rights violations has created this confrontationist situation between tourism and fishermen.

19.  Both these companies Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited and Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd are operating against interest of traditional fishermen in Zuari and we call upon you to immediately stop water sports activities carried on in Zuari in this regard.

Yours Sincerely,

Maggie Silveira

President,

Goa State Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convener,

Cacra unit 

Rohidas Andrade

Convener,

Bambolim unit

Soccoro Braganza

Convener, Siridao Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convener,  

Curca Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convener,

Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convener,

Nauxi unit

Chandrakant Lotlikar

Secretary,

Siridao Unit

Hanuman Dias

Co-convenor

Odxel Unit

Honu Dinkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Deu Kankonkar

Secretary,

Nauxi Unit

Bikaro Dias

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Yeshwant Shirodkar,

Co-convener,

Odxel Unit

Manguesh Sawant,

Co-convener,

Odxel unit

Amir Mardolkar,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

Francis Coelho,

Co-convener,

Nauxim Unit

Dulba Pereira,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

Santosh Gauns,

Co-convener,

Cacra Unit

Sheila D’mello,

Co-convener

Cacra Unit

Santosh Kukalkar,

Co-convener

Cacra unit

---

[1] Legal agreement is between Goan Hotels and Club Private Limited and Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd dated 28/09/2011, sub-registrar, Panjim, Clause 1.1.

[2] Ibid. clause 4

[3] Ibid. clause 8.1

[4] Ibid. Clause 2.1.1

[5] Ibid. Clause 2.1.2

[6] Ibid. Clause 10

[7] Ibid. Clause 16

[8] For more information visit ‘fishing’ folder at www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in