As the demolition deadline draws near, traditional fishermen are trying their level best to save their structures at Katem Baina by collecting vital data or information. In one such attempt, the Goenchea Ramponnkarancho Ekvott has claimed that, way back in 2008, the Fisheries Dept, had initiated a proposal for rehabilitation/relocation of the structures from Katem Baina beach area to an adjoining land belonging to the PWD near the sewerage plant. GRE claimed that the letter bearing reference number DF/GB/Dev.FSH/1547/2008-09 dated 23/05/2008 by the then Fisheries Director S C Verenkar, addressed to the PWD Principal Chief Engineer, clearly recorded that these fishermen from the Katem Baina area are traditional fishermen, who had constructed their houses near the shore waters due to the convenience of their occupation. The letter further stated that the said houses were constructed prior to coming into force of the CRZ Regulation, 1991 and out of poverty, illiteracy and lack of knowledge of rules and regulations, the said fishermen got their houses registered with the local body after 1991 although their structures exist much prior to CRZ notification. Though, till date, the state administration officials have been playing hide and seek on the issue of structures at Katem Baina and have been claiming that there is no such record, which proves that these structures existed prior to 1991. We are in possession of a letter, which was made by a government department to another government department, confirming their existence prior to 1991.
M/s Herald Publications Pvt Ltd