MARGAO
The Blue Flag Certification for the Cavelossim beach has once again come in for opposition from the gram sabha members on Sunday.
While expressing strong reservations over the proposal, with members raising questions over the displacement of the traditional occupations, the gram sabha has told the panchayat to write to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Tourism Department over the objections to the Blue Flag Certification proposal.
At the meeting chaired by Sarpanch Desmond Dias, the gram sabha members pointed out that ongoing works of erection of towers on the beach is part of the Blue Flag certification concept. The members further pointed out that the Tourists Facilitation Centre which has been set up in the village is part of an overall plan to get private taxi operators such as Ola and Uber in the village.
The sarpanch sought to explain the gram sabha members that the erection of towers on the beach is part of the early warning disaster system is part of the national disaster management system and has nothing to do with the Blue Flag Certification.
After much discussions, the members demanded that the panchayat write to the GCZMA and the Tourism Department objecting to the Blue Flag Certification for Cavelossim beach.
This is the second time in the last six months that the gram sabha has vehemently opposed the Blue Flag Certification for Cavelossim beach. In September last, the gram sahha had opposed the proposal to extend Blue Flag Certification for Cavelossim beach on grounds that the traditional fishing community will be deprived of their livelihood and that locals will be charged to visit their own beach.
Meanwhile, the panchayat has requested the newly-elected Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas to pursue with the government for additional funds to handle the village solid waste management. The MLA, who attended the gram sabha, has assured the members of his full cooperation for the development of the village.
The issue of garbage tax came up for discussions at the time of the passage of the Budget estimates for the 2022-23 financial year. While a gram sabha member called for the discontinuation of the garbage fees collected from the people, the sarpanch pointed out that the panchayat is spending much more on garbage management than the revenue earned by way of levying garbage fees.
In fact, the sarpanch pointed out that the panchayat has earned revenue to the tune of Rs 10-odd lakh on fees levied on programmes and events organised in the village.
