Goa: Amidst the ongoing opposition to the Mormugao port Trust’s (MPTs) coal berth expansion from cross section of society including locals, the Congress party has accused the State and Central Government of trying to promote Goa as coal hub at the cost of living of the people.

Congress media cell chairman Adv Yatish Naik said that party strongly supports those protesting against MPTs coal berth expansion and questioned State government’s silence on the entire controversy.

“Why is that the government silent on the issue? The locals, social activists, environmentalist and their own MLAs are against the project. But still government is silent,” Naik said.

He said that the constitutional duty of the Government is to provide clean and health environment to its people.

The Congress leader pointed out that the ports comes under jurisdiction of Union Ministry for Shipping headed by Nitin Gadkari, who is more inclined towards protecting the interest of corporate sector then the people interest. “Both State and Central government are all set to make Goa coal hub,” he said.

Congress party has demanded that issues of coal transportation, coal handling be addressed by the government immediately to safeguard the interest of people, who are strongly protesting against the said expansion.

The MPTs expansion project including dragging, is currently facing massive protest and opposition from the locals there, who are raising serious concern about the increasing coal pollution.

le=’font-family:”Bookman Old Style”,”serif”; background:white’>Further, Government may also utilize the opportunity to ratify a few ordinances that were issued after the State Budget session last month and with the approval of the state cabinet and Governor.

Team TNV