The Cutband Fisheries Co-operative Society Ltd (CFCS) has become the domain of trawler owners from the Navelim-Velim-Mobor stretch only, depriving operators from nearby areas the right to membership of the society. CALVERT GONSALVES investigates.

The Directorate of Fisheries, has acquired and reclaimed large portion of land on the eastern side of Cutband Jetty which is South Goa’s only jetty at Velim. A fully functional diesel pump, an ice factory and a large Sulabh toilet are provided by the Government. Apart from that, structures have been put up to facilitate a shed for a full fledged workshop, a shed for net mending and a spare parts shop. A vast parking area and fresh water drinking facility has also been provided. All these amenities were then handed over to the Cutband Fisheries Co’operative Society Ltd (CFCS) comprising of members from the Navelim-Velim-Mobor stretch only.

The CFCS has to upkeep and utilize the Government provided facilities for the welfare of all trawler owners. However the CFCS is alleged to have been exercising a monopolistic control over the Cutband jetty. Trawler owners from places other then the Navelim-Velim-Mobor stretch are termed as “Bhaile” and not permitted to enroll as full fledged members of the CFCS which would automatically qualify them to avail of all the available facilities. Strangely, the CFCS itself comprises of members like one Mestha who hails from Karnataka. Unlike Mestha, these “Bhaile” are genuine Goans who are natives of neighbouring villages of Benaulim, Margao etc. A large number of CFCS members availing facilities of the society are not even trawler owners, it is learnt.

The Bhaile have now made a strong representation to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary wherein they have challenged the illegal and unconstitutional provisions in the By-laws 3(3) and 6(2)(ii) of the CFCS Constitution which strictly restricts full fledged membership of the society to trawler owners from places other then Navelim, Betul, Velim, Ambelim, Mobor and Cutband area. Having being denied the membership of the CFCS, the Bhaile are automatically denied participation in the policy making and from availing most benefits. It is alleged that the CFCS are able to dictate terms because of the patronage of their M.L.A and Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues.

The “Bhaile” have then applied to form a parallel society which is also being denied to them. The Director of fisheries S.C.Vernekar claims that, “There is bound to be confusion and unrest if the formation of another society is permitted.” Surprisingly, the Vasco jetty, which is 75% smaller then Cutband jetty, has two registered societies which co-exist. An alternate solution is also not being provided and the matter is being suppressed. “We are trying for an amicable settlement” is all that S.C.Vernekar has to say. The time frame to seek the settlement is not made known. It is learnt that S.C.Vernekar has discouraged the Bhaile by stating that, in the event of forming a parallel society, it is entirely at the discretion of the Government to decide as to which society should be provided the facilities and which one should not. Hence, according to him, it’s a futile effort to form another society. The “Bhaile” are 111 in number.

When the Bhaile applied for the formation of a parallel society on the 5th of July, 04, it is learnt that the alarmed Director of Fisheries S C Vernekar, hurriedly prepared lease agreements of the net mending shed, workshop and spare parts shop and got the signature of the ailing CFCS Chairman Benjamin D’Silva on the lease agreements.

What is preventing the CFCS from starting its full fledged workshop and spare parts shop when the Government has provided the infrastructure? Why are these facilities not being made fully functional? The answer lies with the Director cum Treasurer of CFCS, Seby D’Silva, who has a ful- fledged workshop with lathe, welding and fabrication facilities including a spare parts shop. All this is located across the Cutband jetty. Here he also provides facilities to tow boats for repairs. In a further attempt to monopolize his business, Seby has allegedly persuaded the Government to acquire land adjacent to that of his so that no competitors can surface. The land, when finally acquired will automatically be handed over to the CFCS of which Seby has full control.

The “Bhaile” consume a substantially large amount of diesel which is much more then what the members of CFCS consume. For purchasing diesel, it is alleged that the Bhaile are forced to make payments first and after that, the diesel is provided. Strangely, non Goan agents and others who have no base or office in Goa are given credit facilities for thousands of litres of diesel. The parking area has now been cordoned off with a movable barrier and entry is restricted to selected persons of the CFCS’ choice. Due to the collapse of the main water tank, all operations came to a grinding halt at the newly commissioned ice plant costing Rs 90 lakhs within 13 days of its inauguration. Incidentally, all the civil works of the structure are alleged to have been fraudulently awarded to one Cruz D’Silva, Seby D’Silva’s cousin.

Records indicate that subsidized diesel is being provided to trawlers like “Katashwari Baneshwari” and “Mount Mary” which were sold off years ago and also for trawlers that are non- functional.

According to the Bhaile, much needs to be done. Maintenance of the dock has to be a priority. Working conditions at the jetty have to be improved and a common marketing strategy has to be deployed to generate more profits which in turn can be used to purchase modern amenities. The workshop and spare parts shop needs to be made fully functional. There is bitterness among the Bhaile because they are being victimized. The struggle for the Bhaile to get justice seems to be far from over.

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