PANAJI
The Congress on Sunday came out all guns blazing against the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF) which changed the jurisdictions of the National Green Tribunal to bring Goa under the ambit of the principal bench in New Delhi, with party leaders calling the decision arbitrary, illogical and malicious.
Addressing a press conference, GPCC president Shantaram Naik demanded an explanation from the central government as well as the state government on whether they were party to the decision.
"The Central government should explain to the people of Goa. You cannot change jurisdictions at your own whims and fancies. We want to know if the MoEF has taken the consent of the state government before taking such a decision," Naik said.
"The decision is nothing but torture to the people of Goa and to environmentalists. It is not simply a change of jurisdiction; it is a violation of their human rights," Naik said.
He was supported by Panaji candidate Girish Chodankar whol also slammed the decision. "Bringing Goa under NGT, Delhi is anti-Goa and anti-Goan decision of the MoEF. This is done to puncture the pro-environmental activism of Goans and make legal remedy unaffordable to activists and NGOs," Chodankar said.
"Looking at litigation, Goa needed a separate Bench for speedy and smooth disposal of grievances of Goa and Goans," Chodankar chipped in saying.
"This decision has the blessings of CM Parrikar and motivated by forces out to destroy Goa and Goemkarponn. CM Parrikar is well known for his stance against environmental activists. This shift has no rational basis and smacks of ulterior motives. The silence of CM Parrikar and the so-called Goencarponn politicians speaks for itself," Chodankar said.
"I will write to the Union Minister for Environment and Forests protesting this decision and seeking that it be recalled," Naik said. Gujarat and Maharashtra continue to remain under the western bench at Pune.
