PORVORIM
The villagers expressed anger over inaction on the part of the panchayat and government authorities in solving the issue of charmanas. They said breaching of charmanas bundh has become a regular affair and the panchayat
has failed to redress their grievances.
They said the farmers are cultivating their fields with great difficulties, but their crops get destroyed as saline water enters the fields.
Sarpanch Sandeep Salgaonkar said the auction of ‘manas’ has still not taken place. “As there is no maintenance of the ‘manas’, saline water enters the fields. This matter comes under the jurisdiction of the mamlatdar. The panchayat will write a letter to the mamlatdar urging him
address the issue by auctioning the ‘manas’,” said
Salgaonkar.
Maria Moraes said several illegal constructions have come up in Gangus-Salai. “One of the panch members of Salvador-do-Mundo panchayat himself is carrying out illegal construction,” she said and sought to know what action will be taken by panchayat in this regard.
Sarpanch Salgaonkar said: “The panchayat had issued notices to the house owners to demolish their illegal houses, but they have gone in appeal with the Directorate of Panchayat, who has granted stay in the matter. Hence, the panchayat is unable to demolish the illegal constructions,” said Salgaonkar.
Deputy sarpanch Reena Fernandes said the panchayat has received a letter from Goa Investment Promotion Board stating that it has granted permission to a company to set up eco-tourism project in an area of 995 sq mtrs in the village.
“As per panchayat records, the said area has been marked as provisional private forest. It appears that the government has converted the same into settlement zone and Sanad has been issued to the owner of the project,” said Fernandes. After discussion, it was resolved to oppose the project as it would destroy the ecology of the village.
Maria Moraes said the villagers are not aware of the details of the proposed Chorao-Salvador do Mundo bridge and they would like to know where the bridge would start and end and how many farmers will be affected and the compensation that
would be paid to the affected farmers.
“This is a serious matter and panchayat should convene a meeting of the villagers with the authorities concerned,” said Moraes.
The sarpanch said the panchayat was not aware of the details of the project and assured to look into the matter and do the needful.
Earlier, Sarpanch Salgaonkar welcomed the villagers and Panchayat Secretary M Barreto read the minutes of the last gram sabha.
