I'm minister but was kept out of loop for Centre's Malim jetty plan: Khaunte

Panaji: Tourism minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Friday said he was in the dark about the Centre’s plans to permit a Rs 8 crore private marina at Malim on the Mandovi. A visibly upset Khaunte questioned how permissions were given for the jetty without the local panchayat being consulted.
Penha de Franca sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar has strongly opposed the private jetty project proposed at Malim. Panchayat members and local residents have also opposed the jetty.
“I am not aware of it,” said Khaunte when asked for his opinion about the jetty. He said that if required, he will write to the Centre about his concerns.
Khaunte expressed his displeasure by pointing out that despite being a key member of the state cabinet, he found out about the jetty in his constituency through the newspapers. “I checked with the panchayat, and the panchayat has not given any permission,” Khaunte said. “I am a minister in the cabinet, I am the local MLA, and I have to find out from the papers. Someone is playing behind the curtains.”
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has approved the construction of the jetty at Malim for private yachts and river cruise vessels. The IWAI issued the NOC to Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Pvt Ltd under the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, which enable private players to build and operate terminals across India’s waterways network.
With the Mandovi being declared a national waterway (NW-68), the Centre has decided to support the creation of infrastructure along the river. The NOC was handed over by Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
“If someone has brought permissions from the Centre, the first question is who has given permissions without studying?” Khaunte said. “The local sentiments, traditional fisherfolk, and their activities have to be understood first, and the local MLA needs to be kept informed. The people are to be taken into confidence, and then you decide.”
He said that he will seek more details about the private jetty and will “be with what the people want” to ensure that the locals’ wishes are respected.
“They cannot just come with the Centre’s nod without me knowing. I will talk to the chief minister to ensure that there is transparency,” Khaunte said. “Somebody cannot just come saying that they have central permission and they want to put up a jetty.”
He said that he would like to know which local authority has given permission for the private jetty.