the goan I network
OLD GOA
The Bondvoll lake issue once again dominated the Santa Cruz gram sabha on Sunday, with villagers cornering the panchayat authorities over the non-appointment of a lawyer of their choice to represent the local body in the High Court.
Speaking on the issue, advocate Antonio Lourenco questioned why the panchayat failed to appoint a lawyer suggested by the gram sabha, even a year after a resolution to this effect was passed.
Initially, there was no answer on whether the gram sabha resolution was discussed at the panchayat’s fortnightly meeting, but later opposition panch Sonu Araujo informed that five opposition panchas had opposed the panchayat’s move to go against the resolution taken at the gram sabha.
“But we were outnumbered 6-5,” Araujo stated.
After this revelation, the villagers questioned how one panch of the ruling panel was allowed to vote when she has vested interests in the Bondvoll case.
“If there is conflict of interest in any matter, the panch concerned should either walk out or abstain from voting,” Elsa Dias pointed out.
The issue was, however, laid to rest as sarpanch Lawrence Rodrigues informed that the panchayat would appoint a lawyer chosen by the villagers.
“The next fortnightly meeting is slated for September 4 and the panchayat will take a decision on appointing a lawyer suggested by the people,” Rodrigues assured.
To a question by the villagers on builders approaching the panchayat for renewal of licences for projects within the buffer zone of Bondvoll Lake, it was informed that the panchayat has decided against renewing the
licences.
The flooding issue was also discussed at length
with villagers stating that it was a man-made disaster rather than a natural calamity, as pointed out by the
sarpanch.
“The bundhs have neither been maintained nor reinforced resulting in breaches, which is one of the reasons for the flooding near Four Pillars,” Elsa Dias pointed out, while another villager Renato Dias stated that illegal fishing activity at the sluice gate was also responsible for
the same.
Adv Antonio Lourenco further pointed out that soil conservation department officials have found that the height of the bundh has decreased due to which saline water overflowed resulting in flooding.
“The panchayat should follow up with the soil conservation department and WRD to ensure water does not overflow from the bundhs,” Lourenco suggested.
The absence of the regular secretary for the gram sabha also irked the locals with a resolution being passed that gram sabhas should be held only when the regular secretary is available to attend
the same.
