A four-member delegation from the 'Enough is Enough' movement met Goa governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Friday and submitted a 10-point charter of demands. The members, who are part of the movement's core team, urged Raju to convey their concerns to chief minister Pramod Sawant.
Key Demand: Assembly Session on Agricultural Lands Bill
The primary demand from the movement is for the government to convene an assembly session to discuss 'The Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill' introduced by the opposition in the legislature. The bill aims to safeguard agricultural land from indiscriminate conversion and development.
Governor's Response
Core team member and senior advocate Norma Alvares told TOI, "We gave the governor our charter of demands and he is very sympathetic on the environment issue. He said that without the cooperation of the people and the government to protect the environment, there will be nothing left after several years."
Concerns Over Hill Slope Destruction
The movement members expressed deep concern over the brazen destruction of hill slopes in Goa. Former bureaucrat and core member Elvis Gomes stated, "If permissions are not given for hill cutting, then the government must take action. The violators should be arrested, machinery should be seized, and they should be put behind bars."
Criticism of Fines as Deterrent
The delegation criticized the town and country planning department's decision to impose fines of up to Rs 1 crore for hill cutting, arguing that it will not solve the problem. Norma Alvares said, "Just saying that you are going to impose fines for hill cutting will not solve the issue. After all, big builders are ready to pay big fines. They will make bigger money out of it. Fines are not the issue. The official permissions for land conversion and for cutting of hills based on contour plans that are not in agreement with the Surveyor of India plans are the real problem."
