Say they will destroy ecology and put undue pressure on power, water
The Agonda gram sabha meeting in progress on Sunday.
CANACONA
The action-packed Agonda gram sabha ruled out ‘mega projects’ saying any type of mega projects will not only destroy and disturb ecology, but will put undue pressure on already inadequate power supply, insufficient water resources, erratic road networks, and also infringe on locals livelihoods.
It was a well attended gram sabha, where almost every member took part in discussions, raised apprehensions and expressed concerns for protecting the village for future and resolved not to allow outsiders particularly Delhiites, amid ecological and development concerns.
Earlier a congratulatory motion was moved resolving to appreciate and congratulate Agonda Sarpanch Prettal Fernandes for being nominated as the only and first sarpanch in the whole State of Goa to be elected on the Sarpanch Samvad Advisory committee, a prestigious appointment on Quality Council of India.
The congratulatory motion was moved by gramsevak Kiran Naikgaunkar and unanimously seconded by all the gram sabha members.
Various developmental and other related works were brought to the fore and notice of the Panchayat body to which sarpanch Prettal along with secretary Amol Naikgaunkar assured to continously work on it and take it to its logical end.
Former sarpanch Badal Naikgaunkar submitting a memorandum demanded that no mega projects should be allowed in the village at the cost of locals livelihoods.
"Recently a private entity (Dugal/Alchemist ARP) is filing complaints with the GCZMA and other authorities against many local establishments and troubling local populace who are engaged in tourism trade," he said. After a heated discussion a resolution proposed by Badal and seconded by Godwin Fernandes was passed unanimously not to allow any mega projects in Agonda particularly which are detrimental to the locals. As more members raised the issue, Sarpanch informed that any file received for mega projects would be mandatorily brought to the notice of the gram sabha. People than vociferously protested against any mega projects in the village. 'Moreover these mega projects especially hotel projects will eat into local livelihoods. So a loud no to any types of mega projects in the village of Agonda," locals said.
Meanwhile, the road and bridge at Dhavalkhazan, steps at Parvem, collection of wet garbage, demand to increase dry waste collections frequency from once a week to thrice a week, wayward parking issues, supply of contaminated water to the people of Agonda, speedbreakers, dogs and cattle menace, water stagnation at specified places, unscrupulous garbage dumping by residents, erect warning sign boards at the dark spots, streetlights in uncovered areas were some of the many grievances raised by people at the gramsabha.
A fisherwoman complained that a platform constructed for Ganesh visarjan is used by fisherwomen from village to sell fish. "They have made it fish market, which should be stopped," demanded the women from Dhavalkhazan.
Armano Diniz, Kiran Naikgaunkar, Nitin Desai, Caitano Fernandes, Shekhar Pagi, Godwin Fernandes, Clemo D, Shabha Naikgaonkar, Derrick Fernandes Trifonio Coutinho, Panch Fatima Rodriguezs, Nilesh Pagi, Dy Sarpanch Karuna Phaldessai, John Fernandes along with an BDO observer were present. Earlier secretary Amol Naikgaunkar read the minutes of last gram sabha and confirmed the same. The gramsabha was held at Agonda Sports Club hall at Dessaiwada Agonda.
