Press Release in support of Nestle Contract Workers Union

11^th February 2016

Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) extends support and solidarity to Nestle Contract Workers Union (NCWU) based at Maulingem, Bicholim. For the past few months BMM has been interacting with NCWU ever since they shifted their agitation in Panjim. BMM is concerned about targeting of Union Leadership in fabricated manner in order to suppressed workers Union activities. BMM has identified that two of the dedicated and talented leaders of the NCWU Anand B. Shirodkar and Sandesh Gawas are placed on suspension. Workers had formed NCWU on 27/11/2012. Details of the background and fantastic union activities are listed accessible from our blog http://bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/12/how-contract-workers-at-nestle-bicholim.html?m=0. 

Our investigation has revealed that Nestle has 8 contractors that supply labour to the factory in Maulingem. One of this S.P.Enterprises has suspended Anand B. Shirodkar while another one M/s Harsh Security and Labour supply services has suspended Sandesh Gawas. Though workers has filed complaint before labour commissioner placing various issues for resolution on 24^th June 2013 and number of hearings has gone by ever since. However refusal of the Nestle management to co-operate by their presence has left the issue unresolved. Even the requests from the Goa labour commissioners to remain present for the hearings has not been honored by Nestle management citing the reasons that they are not involved in master – servant relationship with the contract workers. However involvement of Nestle is revealed from the fact that both the Union leaders Anand B. Shirodker and Sandesh Gawas were placed on suspension on the same date of 23/8/2013. One does not need rocket science to guess that this has been done to prevent labour awakening and unionization, and spreading of Union activities and not for cited reasons of criminal behavior and absenteeism from work.

This is a very sad reality of Goa’s industrialization. Innovative forms are deployed for the purpose of labour exploitation with legal immunity for prosecution. Contractors in collaboration with Nestle Company through these practices are involved in the process of mutilation and disintegration disguised as development.  BMM considers what is happening to NCWU as symptomatic of industrial scenario of Goa – rampant labour exploitation through contract labour with exploitation as a package. If Goa Government labour Ministry cannot get Nestle to discussion table then it must change its name as Ministry of Slavery.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

10 years of Vanxim sale: Call for transparency

11^th February 2016

It was on this day of February 11 in 2006 that Vanxim was sold by keeping people of Vanxim in dark. Today this dark day completes 10 years ever since Goa Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao carried on this criminal act. Procurators of the Goa Diocese Fr.Arlino de Mello and Fr.Victor Rodrigues collaborated to implement this fraud in various ways. While Fr. Arlino de Mello signed on sale deed on behalf of the Archbishop Ferrao in immoral manner, Fr. Victor Rodrigues made sure that this immorality flourishes and blossoms through his letter dated 10/11/2009 to Mahendra Gaunekar. 10 years later today the Archbishop Ferrao and his team instead of apologizing and correcting the wrongs committed has gone on propaganda overdrive. In this light we call upon the Archbishop to make transparent documents of Vanxim sale as follows:

1.    All the letters from Tenants Association of Vanxim written in the decade of 1990s that Archbishop and his team claims to have a hand in sale of Vanxim by granting NOC to sell Vanxim. Who are the signatories of these letters? 

2.    All the letters sent to Vatican from the Goa Archbishop and his team seeking permissions to sell Vanxim as per requirements of Canon 1291. And all the letters granting permissions to sell Vanxim received from Vatican.

3.    All the reports as per Canon 1292 must be made public. They are the consent reports and minutes from the financial council of the Goa Diocese and the College of Consultors and the experts that gave their advice to sell Vanxim.

4.    Names of those constituted financial council of the Goa Diocese that took decision on Vanxim, Names of those constituted College of Consultors and the names of Experts who recommended sale of Vanxim in entirety. All this needed as per Canon 1292.

5.    What is the actual total amount and where the money gone from Vanxim sale?

6.    Documents of gift of Vanxim to Santa Monica and the obligations attached to be fulfilled. Which year Vanxim was handed over to Santa Monica Convent? Who did this? For what reason?

1971 synod of bishop acknowledged that for the church to speak about justice, it must first be just.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Water sports in Zuari troubles traditional fishing

Date: 08^th February 2016

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa

Panjim, Goa.

Sub: Your letter dated 14/01/2016 with reference no. B 14022/331 calling for personal hearing on Police Report on permission to Officials of Hotel Grand Hyatt to carry on water sports activities.

Sir,

With regard to above mentioned letter kindly note the following:

1.    We appreciate your efforts at personal hearing. Thank you for the same.

2.    Our joint complaint to you and Secretary and commissioner (Ports) dated 26/11/2015 was joint complaint from me and all those who signed but invitation was only for me.

3.    Personal hearing therefore we urge your to carry on jointly with all the affected fishermen from the villages of Siridao, Bambolim, Nauxim, Cacra and Odxel as all these are affected negatively with said water sports activities.

4.    I did not come for the hearing on the date that was mentioned i.e.04/02/2016 at 11.00 hours as it was only for me and all the affected fishermen are excluded from your scheme of things. Nor did I think it fit to come along with the fishermen to your office for the risk of you considering them as unwanted guests in your office that might have led to commotion.

5.    You are therefore requested to expand the invitation to the affected people and accordingly fix time and date, and inform us two weeks in advance for the Hearing. We will come with full preparation to co-operate with your office.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

       Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

(President)

Press Release on illegal fishing in Zuari

01^st February 2016

Bharat Mukti Morcha is deeply concerned about continues violation of fishing rights in Zuari River by trawlers carrying on illegal fishing in Zuari and mini – per seining. Daily monitoring of the illegal fishing activities in Zuari was repeatedly brought to the notice of the Fisheries department as well as Coastal Police. However both have proved to be flop in tackling the situation. Breakdown of patrol boat has been their favorite excuse. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha has long been suggesting to fisheries department to have full time Patrol boat 24 hours everyday to demonstrate its serious commitment to the task at hand. Bharat Mukti Morcha worried about the repeated bungling from Fisheries department in responding to the calls on illegal fishing in Zuari. We have realized that Fisheries department too is kept itself deliberately ill prepared to tackle illegal fishing in Zuari.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Terminate MPT lease deeds for Marinas in Zuari

01^st February 2016

Press Release calling for termination of MPT lease deeds for Marinas in Zuari

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for termination of two Lease Deeds in Marinas at Nauxim in Tiswadi and Sancoale in Mormugao signed by MPT with two private firms Kargwal Construction Pvt Ltd, Mumbai and Yacht Heaven (Goa) Pvt Ltd, Vasco. Lease Deeds were signed in October 2010. As per these deeds MPT has claimed jurisdiction over waters of Zuari River from the mouth of Arabian Sea up to Cortalim Ferry point from May 2000 onwards and plans to lease out River to various private companies. The most objectionable aspect of the these two Lease Deeds is that fishermen fishing in Zuari river are not even acknowledged and leased out over 2,50,000 sq.mts of river between two low tide lines on shore in North and South of Zuari. Over Few hundred  fishermen carry on the fishing activities in this river and support their livelihood.

The closer examination of both the marinas based on the data submitted by the two marina companies in Form I to Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority confirms that there will not be any scope left for fishing as there will be breakwaters in the middle of the river, dredging of the fertile fishing grounds to increase depth to navigation channel for yachts, backfilling of river and reclamation of land from the river. 

Goa’s Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar’s comments that Marinas are like taxi stands are wrong. Both marinas details are submitted to Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. He just has to apply his mind and get the papers and study. But since he is biased against fishermen and is determining to misguide them he is not taking this route. Mrs. Alina Saldanha was sacked as Environment Minister few months ago because she upheld the interest of the fishermen and opposed marinas totally.

BMM is surprised that Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in its 119^th meeting on 28^th January 2016 has discussed issue of Marinas in Zuari without meeting with fishermen in Zuari who are protesting the marinas inflicted dead end to fishing to be replaced with high end tourism. BMM is shocked to note that GSPCB has initiated the process of issue Consent of establish and consent to operate for two marinas. This is latest exclusion of fishermen in Zuari river from decision making process. It is high time to put an end to this style of decision making.

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Letter to CBI on Vanxim scam

Date: 01^st February 2016

To,

The Director/ In-charge,

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Bambolim, Goa

Terms of references : Investigations into layers of corruption in Vanxim, Goa

Sir/Madam,

It has come to our notice that there has been very high level of layers of corruption in Vanxim land deal in Tiswadi, Goa involving Goa Archbishop and various offices of Goa Government. We list them out for your information for further investigation, gathering of evidence and prosecution of those involved in this scam.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for CBI probe on below counts:

1.    Whereabouts of black money generated through sale of Santa Monical land at Vanxim to Mahendra Gaunekar by Diocesan Procurator Fr. Arlino D’mello on behalf of Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao at the rate of 6 rupees and 20 rupees violating Civil law regulating tenancy as well as Cannon Law regulating Church properties on February 11, 2006. People of Goa has a duty as well as right to know as to the depth of these underground operations taking place in Bishop’s House in Panjim. Vanxim people intending to purchase the land are told to pay at the rate of Rs.1350/- per square meter while Vanxim land was sold to Gaunekar at the rate of Rs. 6/- and Rs. 20/-. This land belongs to the Santa Monica Convent, Old Goa that was vested with land titles by various people over the past few centuries. These lands that were given to the Church was with certain obligations to be fulfilled by the Church. The inventory of the land gifted to Santa Monica be examined to find out as to who gave Vanxim to Santa Monica and for what purpose. Archbishop Ferrao sold 4,85,275 square meters of land claiming to be at the rate of Rs.20/-. At this rate total amount comes to Rs.97,05,150/-. Sale deed however shows that Archbishop received Rs. 55,04,150/-. When Archbishop was questioned on this he had no answers and put his head down. This is total fraud of accounts on the sale deed.

2.    Probe into the political nexus involving Ozone corporate and top politicians of Goa. Closer examination of Joint Development Agreement of August 11, 2009 between Mahendra Gaunekar in his wife on one side and various groups connected with Ozone corporate reveals that Mahendra Gaunekar is to overcome environmental regulations in force through political maneuverings. In this respect probe nexus with top politicians of Goa who has been bribed to keep silence on Vanxim. Specially probe role of Digambar Kamat who is Goa’s past Chief Minister, Churchill Alemao who is Goa’s past PWD minister who visited Vanxim advocating the cause of Ozone corporate, MLA Mickey Pacheco, MLA Vishwajeet Rane, ex-member of Parliament Francisco Sardinha, and any other politician CBI may suspect.

3.    Probe into role of Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar, his secretary Krishnamurthy and his wife Sajla Chawla Krishnamurthy who is reported as Deputy General Manager of Ozone corporate. Defence Minister through series of nexus is directly involved in Vanxim scam as reported by Prime Media TV channel.

4.    Probe the corruption involving current Chief Minister of Goa Parsekar, Tourism Minister Parulekar and Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Mandkaikar with their links with Ozone corporate and attempted cover ups of frauds involved. The local MLA Madkaikar gave 1000 rupees each and took 5 buses of people to the TCP office in support of Ozone corporate. To make up for the crowd even migrant labourers were roped in.

5.    Probe into role of past deputy Collectors at Panjim office who entertained ‘Condonation of delay’ applications and passed orders in favour of Ozone corporate even though Deputy Collector has no powers to do so. Two of these deputy collectors against whom CBI probe is a must are Sabhaji Shetye whose current posting is in Vasco and Sanjeev Desai who has been rewarded with posting as Director of Tourism. Sanjeev Desai wrote in his judgments that they were dictated in the open court while we know from Ligorio Silviera case judgment that this was not true as judgment was never dictated in open Court. We suspect that all the judgment in condonation of delay were written in the office of legal officers attached to Mahendra Gaunekar and Ozone corporate. Probe is needed in this regard. All the names on form I & XIV are totally and completely fraud as they are based on Deputy Collectors entertaining of condonation of delay. The powers to entertain the condonation of delay are with Administrative Tribunal. All the orders issued by Deputy Collector are void in law.

6.    Probe into the properties of Santa Monica sold to Mahendra Gaunekar. How Santa Monica did have hold of the land in Vanxim? who gave? Under what obligations? When?

We will appreciate your positive approach and action so that Goa/ Vanxim get Justice through Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is our hope.

Thanking you,

        Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa Unit

         Sd/-

Sanjay Harmalkar

Convener, Diwar Unit

          Sd/-

Rohidas Andrade

Convener, Bambolim Unit

         Sd/-

Sanjay Pereira

Convener, Cacra Unit

Objections to Investment Promotion Board recommendation to convert Vanxim (Capao) land as settlement zone

01^st February 2016

To,

Secretary (Town and Country Planner)

Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Chief Town Planner,

Town and Country Planning Department,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to Investment Promotion Board recommendation to convert Vanxim (Capao) land as settlement zone to set up 5 star hotel and villas by Ozone Leisure and Resort Pvt Ltd.

Sir,

We have come to know from the media reports on January 01, 2016 that Investment Promotion Board has recommended conversion of 82,295 sq.mts of orchard land in Vanxim (Capao) in Tiswadi as settlement zone granting in-principle approval to the project of Ozone Leisure and Resort Pvt Ltd consisting of 5 Star Hotel and luxury villas.

We write to object the same on following grounds.

1.    Investment Promotion Board has never conducted site inspection to verify the nature of land in Vanxim. Vanxim is an island in Mandovi river and CRZ regulations are applicable on all sides. Besides it is also low lying area with biologically active mud flats, Khazan land, mangroves and sluice gates.

2.    The transfer of occupancy rights from Santa Monica of Old Goa to Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt Ltd are fraud as it is effected with cases against tenants for condonation of delay in Deputy Collectors’ office in Panjim when deputy collector has no powers to entertain such cases. The powers rests with Administrative Tribunal and hence entire occupancy rights in favor of Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt Ltd is void. We have called for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against the two former deputy collectors involved in this scam namely Shabaji Shetye and Sanjeev Desai.

3.    Investment Promotion Board is outsourcing of cabinet powers to private entities under Investment Promotion Act 2014. This law overrides Panchayati Raj Act, TCP Act as well as Land Revenue Code besides making mockery of the democratic system. Through this law democracy has been replaced with dictatorship. The elected representatives who supported this law have either not applied their minds or willfully betrayed their voters. The transfer of powers of Cabinet to the private actors spread out all over the country and beyond is unacceptable. We do not support this law and it must be repealed with immediate effect. We urge you to reject the Investment Promotion Board recommendation for land conversions in Vanxim.

4.    The decision of the Investment Promotion Board to bully Town Country Planning Department into getting ecologically sensitive areas of Vanxim is motivated by high level of political interference and we have already called for CBI probe into these links involving Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, His secretary Krishnamurthy and Krishnamurthy’s wife Sejla Chawla Krishnamurthy who is Deputy General Manager at Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt Ltd. We have already called for CBI investigations into this nexus reported by Prime TV Channel in Goa.

5.    Occupancy rights on tenanted land in Vanxim (Capao) has been transferred to Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt Ltd by Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao via Mahendra Gaunekar violating Tenancy law and Canon law by selling land without informing tenants. The tenants and the People of Vanxim were not aware and were never informed that the sale deed was registered. Only after four years of the registration of the sale deed Vanxim People came to know about the same when some people from Vanxim were taken to Bicholim and made to put their thumb on documents and offered cash. These people who put their thumb did not know to read and write. So total manipulation and fraudulency involved. Few from amongst those who knew to read and write asked for documents and then the entire game plan was revealed followed by which we went in for RTIs and got all details. We have called for CBI investigations into this aspect too.

6.    There has been opposition to this project at Malar Panchayat Gram Sabhas as well as Town and Country Planning office. Now Investment Promotion Board decision on Vanxim is a coup-d’état against every democratic institution on ground and complete insult to these institutions. Democracy has been replaced with Dictatorship and Goa has been converted into Colony open for abuse. The political consequences of Investment Promotion Act 2014 is loot and plunder of Goa’s land, and Jurisprudential value of this Act can best be compared to an assembly of thieves gathering in the middle of the city hall and proclaiming their decree.

7.    Investment Promotion Act 2014 is direct violation of not only Article 48-A and Article 51 –A (g) but also of Article 21(Right to life) of the Indian Constitution. Supreme Court relying on Article 21 declared in M.C. Mehta V/s Union of India (1987) that life; public health and ecology have priority over unemployment and loss of revenue.

8.    In M.C.Mehta V/s Union of India (1997) the Supreme Court of India has enunciated the doctrine of “Public Trust”, based on the legal theory of the Roman Empire. The idea of this theory is that certain common properties such as rivers, sea shores, forests, and the air were held by the Government in trusteeship for the free and unimpeded use of the general public. The resources like air, sea, waters and forests have such a great importance to the people as a whole, that it would be totally unjustified to make them a subject of private ownership. The concept “environment” bears a very close relationship with this doctrine. The doctrine enjoins upon the resources for the enjoyment of the general public, rather to permit their use for private ownership or commercial purposes. Investment Promotion Act 2014 is precise infringement of this Public Trust Doctrine as right to life.

9.    Investment Promotion Act 2014 is direct contravention of directive principle of State policy under Article 48-A of the Indian constitution that states as “Protection and improvement of Environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life - The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.

10.  Further under Article 51-A (g) it is a fundamental duty of every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.” In exercise of our duty under Article 51-A (g) we call upon you to reject any proposal to of converting land in Vanxim Island as settlement zone for construction of luxury villas, 5 star hotel, resort and Golf course.

There are serious civil law and canon law frauds involved in the manner in which Vanxim has been sold.  We call upon you to pay serious attention to the objections above and reject any proposal for land conversions in Vanxim into Settlement Zone under recommendation from Investment Promotion Board. Hence and therefore such a project which is a disaster for the people of Vanxim and in no way is a development; must neither be permitted nor allowed.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Press Release on Vanxim

Date: 04^th January 2016

Bharat Mukti Morcha has noted yet another U – turn taken in its policies by the current ruling BPJ Government. Media reports on January 01, 2016 informed public about Goa Government’s decision to declare Vanxim Island in Mandovi river as ‘Investment Promotion Area’ in order to facilitate setting up of 5 Star Hotel and villas by Ozone Corporate. This is a complete U-turn of the current BJP government that had vowed to defend and protect Goa’s Coast.  Here are extracts of the letter of then Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dated 16^th April 2014 addressed to the then Indian Minister of Environment and Forest Dr.M.Veerappa Moily:

“The State is blessed with seven rivers and covers length of 253 kms. Approximately. The state is committed to conserve its natural heritage by regulating development around the rivers; and hence has subjected the areas around rivers under the Coastal Zone Regulation with No development Zone’s of 100 meters from the bank of the rivers on all sides; thereby imposing serious land use restriction.” “The State’s Coastal areas are full of Mangroves and khazan land and development around mangroves and on khazan land is banned by the State Government as voluntary measure to protect the ecological heritage of the State and to maintain ecological balance in the State.” “Also 40 % of the land is under agriculture which the government has decided not to be diverted.”

Its clear from the circumstances that layers of corruption has gone into Vanxim land scam involving people at very high level and there is need for investigating it completely before venturing into any Ozone related activities in Vanxim. Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for CBI probe into all the layers of corruption involved as desired by Fr. Bismarque Dias which was his dream. This is must, that it be put into action with immediate effect as frauds after frauds are being developed by Defence minister Manohar Parrikar, Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao, Mahendra Gaunekar, Ozone corporate, Investment Promotion Board, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar to have a go for Vanxim. Lies have speed but Truth has stamina. Bharat Mukti Morcha stands for Truth with stamina and overtakes lies, and now calls for CBI probe on below counts:

1.    Whereabouts of black money generated through sale of Vanxim to Mahendra Gaunekar by Diocesan Procurator Fr. Arlino D’mello on behalf of Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao at the rate of 6 rupees and 20 rupees violating Civil law regulating tenancy as well as Cannon Law regulating Church properties. People of Goa has a duty as well as right to know as to the depth of these underground operations taking place in Bishop’s House in Panjim. Vanxim people intending to purchase the land are told to pay at the rate of Rs.1350/- per square meter while Vanxim land was sold to Gaunekar at the rate of Rs. 6/- and Rs. 20/-.

2.    Probe into role of Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar, his secretary and his wife who is reported as Deputy General Manager of Ozone corporate.

3.    Probe the corruption involving current Chief Minister of Goa Parsekar, Tourism Minister Parulekar and Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Mandkaikar with their links with Ozone corporate and attempted cover ups of frauds involved. The local MLA Madkaikar gave 1000 rupees each and took 5 buses of people to the TCP office in support of Ozone corporate. To make up for the crowd even migrant labourers were roped in.

4.    Probe into role of Deputy Collectors at Panjim office who entertained ‘Condonation of delay’ applications and passed orders in favour of Ozone corporate even though Deputy Collector has no powers to do so. Two of these deputy collectors against whom CBI probe is a must are Sabhaji Shetye whose current posting is in Vasco and Sanjeev Desai who has been rewarded with posting as Director of Tourism.

It’s complete fraud that the investment promotion board has decided to convert survey area measuring 82,295 square meters into settlement zone by claiming it as orchard land. 34,115 square meters that IPB recommended to convert into settlement zone is within 100 meters from Mandovi coast and fit as No Development Zone. This is recorded on notified Regional Plan 2021 as eco sensitive area with mangroves bordering Mandovi River. By bypassing the actual mentioned above can the Investment Promotion Board fool the people of Vanxim and the people of Goa by declaring it as Investment Promotion Area? That too when the Regional Plan is out for the Public to object by overturning its objections to TCP Investment Promotion Board comes into existence from nowhere.

The Defense Minister Parrikar and the Chief Minister Parsekar must know that people are highly educated to understand what frauds both of them are into and People of Vanxim and People of Goa have understood it fully to what extend the BJP Government is fighting tooth and nail to facilitate the corporate at Vanxim including those on Investment Promotion Board. It is a misery to have such people going so much low in their educational values for want of frauds, manipulations and ecological violations. They act as if they are worse than opened mouthed hungry crocodiles.

Our children when they question us about Vanxim we will have to give them correct answers by saying we had defense minister Parrikar and Chief Minister Parsekar plus the investment promotion Board who changed the rules and laws according to their empty plates so that corporate could fill their plates and forcefully with high level of frauds and misery enacted Investment Promotion Act 2014 so that Vanxim could help the BJP financially to meet the expense of forthcoming elections.

        Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President

Press Release on Traditional Fishermen of Goa

Date: 04^th January 2016

Bharat Mukti Morcha takes strong objections to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s comments on traditional fishermen of Zuari River. Two days ago while on Goa visit Nitin Gadkari advised Government publicly to rent out one trawler for four fishermen so that they can carry on fishing 12 nautical miles into Arabian Sea. This he said because traditional fishermen has been involved in protest against Marinas in Zuari for over past 5 years at Sancoale and Nauxim-Bambolim.

Bharat Mukti Morcha rejects this advice of Nitin Gadkari. Mr. Gadkari advise has not originated from any concern for traditional fishermen of Goa but out of concern for marinas and luxury tourism. Gadkari’s advise is a great insult to the traditional fishermen from Zuari coast. Gadkari is not neither aware of what the traditional fishing is nor what the trawling is and the difference between the two. Further Gadkari’s comments have origin in greed of the luxury tourism. For greed even the entire planet is not enough. If the luxury hotels on the Zuari coast are not able to carry on then they must close down and hand over the land to the people of Nauxim and Bambolim for whom it originally and rightfully belongs. Bharat Mukti Morcha advises Mr. Nitin Gadkari not to engage in such free advice to the Fishermen of Zuari Coast. If Marinas does not come up in Zuari river fishermen should not be held responsible. The culprit is Murmagoa Port Trust (MPT) who has ignored fishermen totally in both the October 2010 Lease agreements on Marinas signed with Kargwal Constructions, Mumbai and another one with Yatch Heavens owned by Chowgules known for ecological destruction of Goa.

Mr.Gadkari looks at fishermen of Zuari River as the last hurdle for Marinas after getting rid of Alina Saldanha as Environment Minister and Nitin Sawant as member of State Bio-diversity board. What is most surprising is that no Fisherman has ever approached Nitin Gadkari to seek advice on how they should be conducting their fishing and where. Mr.Gadkari must stop interfering with traditional fishermen of Goa. Bharat Mukti Morcha will continue to strongly defend traditional fishermen. Trawling and mini per seining are technologically driven yet ecologically unsustainable ways of fishing and Bharat Mukti Morcha has already filed objections on behalf of traditional fishermen in this regard and accepted by Goa government.

      Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President