The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has sounded the alarm over illegal project approvals granted by the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (GIPFB) in eco-sensitive zones. In a letter dated September 20, 2024, Congress Vice President Sunil Kawanthkar urged the Governor of Goa to intervene in a controversial project by Spark Healthline Private Limited, which has allegedly breached environmental regulations in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and No Development Zone (NDZ) of Reis Magos, Bardez.
Kawanthkar?s letter highlights serious violations, such as hill cutting and construction on steep slopes, contravening state environmental laws. He criticized Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for favoring corporate interests over environmental protection, stating, ?The government?s actions are jeopardizing Goa?s fragile ecosystem and disregarding the rule of law.?
This isn?t the first time the GIPFB has come under scrutiny. On June 13, 2024, the Bombay High Court in Goa issued notices to the IPB over the contentious Deltin Town Project in Dhargalim. The project, backed by local activists Swapnesh Sherlekar and senior citizen Rohidas Harmalkar, faces opposition for being located within the command area of the Tillari Irrigation Project. The petitioners argue that land originally earmarked for agriculture was improperly converted for commercial use without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.
The proposed integrated resort?s approval under the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation of Single Window Clearance Act, 2021, has sparked concerns about its potential to disrupt local livelihoods and further strain Goa?s delicate environment. The High Court has demanded justifications from the IPB and relevant government departments regarding these regulatory breaches.
Kawanthkar?s letter echoes broader concerns about the IPB?s expanding powers and the potential for unchecked project approvals. He emphasized that the Reis Magos project represents a pattern of neglecting environmental regulations in favor of rapid development.
The core issue for the opposition lies in the extensive powers granted to the IPB by the 2021 Act, which allows it to approve projects with minimal oversight. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is pushing for amendments to this act, which could further empower the IPB to green-light projects across the state without adequate environmental, planning, or local governance checks. Critics, including Congress leaders and BJP MLA Michael Lobo, have slammed these proposed changes as dangerous, warning that they could turn the IPB into a ?mini-government? with excessive control.
?This bill poses a serious threat to Goa?s environment and future,? stated Lobo, highlighting concerns shared by environmentalists and political adversaries alike. He argued that the act centralizes power in the hands of the Chief Minister and a select few, undermining transparency and public accountability.
The bill is currently under review following widespread backlash, but apprehensions remain about its potential passage. If enacted, it could expedite the approval of mega-projects without necessary environmental assessments, endangering Goa?s ecological integrity. The opposition is calling for a halt to these projects and a comprehensive review of the IPB?s authority, advocating for a balanced approach to development that respects Goa?s unique environmental and social fabric.
