CURCHOREM
Charles D’Silva, a Gram Sabha member and former Betul panch, said when Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was the chief minister, he had assured Betul locals that the land acquired by GIDC will be given back to the land owners. “But this didn’t happen and in return DefExpo has been forced on the people despite their opposition,” D’Silva stated.
He added further, “It has been revealed in a section of the media that 11,000 blood bottles and about 80 ambulances will be needed at the DefExpo site, which means some accidents are expected. No instructions have been given to the locals in case of emergency or exit plan.”
D’Silva handed over a letter to Betul Sarpanch Krishna Sawant Dessai during the meeting.
The letter states that states that the land acquired at Betul plateau was for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and later the purpose of the land was changed to industrial use to provide employment opportunities to the local youth. But now the acquired land has been earmarked for holding DefExpo, which people are strongly opposed to, it adds.
D’Silva said before building a house or a compound wall a NOC or permission is required to be sought from the local panchayat or municipal council. “Similarly, permission or NOC should be taken to hold DefExpo or any exhibition from the panchayat. However, the DefExpo organisers haven’t taken any such permission from the Betul Panchayat,” D’Silva stated.
After discussing on the issue, all the members supported D’Silva and opined that the government should also give equal importance to the local governing body.
Later after discussion on the issue, D’Silva along with other members unanimously resolved to send show-cause notices to GIDC Goa, Secretary of Industries Goa, Director of DefExpo exhibition and Pavilions and Interiors Pvt Ltd via official e-mail, giving them three days time to reply to the notices. The resolution was seconded by Pressy Fernandes along with other Gram Sabha members. Betul Sarpanch Krishna Sawant Dessai, Panchayat Secretary Presila Niaso, Panch Delfy Barboso, Jerry Fernandes and others were present at the meeting.
It may be recalled that on February 29, notwithstanding protests from some quarters against DefExpo at Quittol, ‘bhumipoojan’ was conducted amid tight police security. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had visited the site earlier. The agitators on two earlier occasions had prevented the trucks from entering the site.
