MAPUSA
Apparently rattled about an “opposition” led signature campaign in Parra village, Ports Minister Michael Lobo sought to assure the locals that no roads will be widened and that only development which is in the interest of the locals will be taken up in the village.
“These (signature campaign) are all tactics by the so called opposition people to create fear in the minds of the people. Whatever people want will happen in Parra. Only good work will take place in the village,” Lobo said.
According to the Ports Minister some disgruntled elements have falsely raised an alarm in the village that roads in Parra are going to be widened and people will lose their homes and compound walls.
He said they have also started collecting signatures from the people of the village.
“We are not going to widen any internal roads in the village. We are streamlining the main road with a divider from Parra up to Mapusa. Even on the main road we have not demolished any shops,” Lobo said.
“Those who have started the signature campaign have no work. They want to impress the locals that they want to save people’s houses and compound walls. People should not fall prey to such misinformation,” he added.
Incidentally, an NGO which has been taking up several public-interest issues in the State had started a signature campaign in the village to call a special gram sabha to discuss the inclusion of Parra in the North Goa Planning and Development Authority.
Locals were also taken aback as several areas in the village have been shown as settlement zones in the draft Outline Development Plan of Parra village put up for public scrutiny.
Lobo said development works that only benefit the locals and which is in the interest of the villagers will be taken up in Parra.
“The football ground is ready and work on setting up a public stand will be taken up soon. We are also planning to start a cricket ground and build a swimming pool in the village. We will also have separate futsal ground,” the minister said.
He said within a month or two, children between 5 to 15 years of age will be asked to report to the football ground where they will be provided free coaching.
“We will also provide nutrition to the children who come for coaching. We are also starting a cricket ground in the village for which we need everyone’s cooperation,” he said.
The Ports Minister further informed that he has plans to set up an institute of catering technology in the village.
“We want to set up the institute along the Alva Mar road. All our students who are interested in taking up a career in catering can obtain a six-month, diploma and even degree course in the institute,” Lobo said.
“All good things will be done here. Nothing will be done which will harm you. Nothing will be done which will harm your property,” he said.
