Panaji: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has vowed to protect the interest of the fishermen community and save the houses and businesses from the coastal belt once it comes into power.
The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress on Sunday had organised a fishing competition opposite the Old Secretariat along Mandovi river. Along with women, around 200 people participated in this competition. During this program Congress leaders hit out at the BJP government for not taking care of Mandovi river, which is being polluted by sewage of Casinos and plastic garbage.
The President of GPYC Girish Chodankar, President of GPYC Adv. Varad Mardolkar, former Mayor Uday Madkaikar, Tony Rodrigues, chairman of Congress Fisherman Committee Vasant Gopi Naik, Daya Carapurkar, Nagesh karishetty, Janardhan Bhandari, Archit Naik, Saish Aroskar, Vyas prabhu chodnekar, Yash Kochrekar, Olencio simoes, Mazinho Fernandes, Vivek d Silva, Roshan Chodankar, Nikita Waingade, Himanshu Tivrekar, Akshay Kambli, Paigambar Nadaf, Prabhav Mhambre, Mukta Fondvekar, Sanket Bhandari, Peter Fernandes,Macronel Ferraro, Sourav Bhagat,Riyaz Sayyed
and others were present on the occasion.
Chodankar speaking on the occasion said that the BJP government compromised river Mhadei for political gains with Karnataka and hence balance of salinity of Mandovi river has got disturbed. “ Earlier fresh water of Mhadei used to balance the salinity of Mandovi river, but after its diversion it has disturbed.” Chodankar said.
He said that BJP government has also failed to monitor pollution taking place in the Mandovi river. “Instead of fish, there was catch of plastic during this competition. This suggests to us that there is a need to clean this river and keep watch that further pollution will not take place.” Chodankar said.
Adv. Mardolkar said that once the Congress comes in power interest of all fishermen from the coastal area will be protected. “This government has sidelined our traditional fishermen.” Mardolkar said.
Uday Madkaikar said that due to the jetties of Casinos along Mandovi river, people are not getting opportunities to catch fish here. “We witness daily traffic jams here due to these jetties. But once we come to power, we will take care of all problems.” He said.
Olencio simoes said that new port law has made MPT an autonomous body and has given some rights. “MPT may lease all these coastal places, depriving Goemkars to carry out business.” He lamented, referring to how shack owners were asked to take permissions from MPT.
He also said that the interest of fishermen will be protected. “we will not allow this government to raze our houses in coastal areas. We will protect them.” He said.
Hitesh Dhuri snatched first prize, while Edson Fernandes and Velentine Rodrigues received second and third prize, respectively. Also Shankar Mistri received prize in first catch category, Robert Dsouza n Maximum catch and Deepraj Naikin smallest catch.
