MARGAO
He came, he saw and left after discussing the issues of river Sal contamination and the western bypass on stilts with local MLA Venzy Viegas, throwing up a question “ whether Benaulikars can now hope for a solution to these burning issues plaguing the village for a long time now.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was in the village for an event when he took time off to descend on the banks of river Sal on the Benaulim side of the Khareband bridge with Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzy Viegas.
The location where the Chief Minister descended is significant as he took a view of the river Sal and the Tolleaband water body where the controversial bypass is proposed to be built by filling up the lush green fields. The location is also significant since the sewage discharge line of the Colva sewage treatment plant (STP) will have a dropping near the Khareband bridge.
Sawant witnessed the state of river Sal as thick black-coloured water greeted him. The Chief Minister was at the site just for a brief moment before returning to his vehicle sans briefing the media, raising questions about whether any solution is in sight to these three issues staring at the villagers.
The Benaulim MLA exuded confidence that things will hopefully move in the right direction as far as Sal is concerned, with the government working on both temporary and permanent solutions to restore the river to its pristine glory.
“The Chief Minister has witnessed for himself the state of river Sal, the black river Sal. I brought the Chief Minister to the site since he was attending an event in my constituency to see for himself the issues of river Sal and the western bypass. He has given some positive hopes,” Venzy later told the media.
He added: "The Chief Minister was already aware of river Sal's condition since I had submitted to him the pictures and the documents. Today, he has personally seen for himself the ground reality."
Venzy did not mince words when he once again pointed fingers at the PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro, holding them responsible for the river condition.
“The failure of the GSPCB Member Secretary and the Chairman of Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation has led to the present state of the river. The Chief Secretary should make them accountable,” he said.
Commenting on his discussion with the Chief Minister on the western bypass, Venzy said he had earlier briefed Sawant on the bypass.
He said the government is working on a solution for the funding arrangement in the event the balance portion of the bypass is taken up for construction on stilts.
Stating that he has been taking up these issues with the government based on his assurances given to the people of Benaulim, Venzy said nobody needs to tell him about these problems and that he will make sure the people get justice.
BJP takes on Venzy for outbursts against Cabral, demand apology
MARGAO
Strange it may seem, but true. On Wednesday morning, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant descended on Benaulim with local MLA Venzy Viegas to have a first-hand experience of river Sal pollution. And by evening, BJP leaders took on the Benaulim MLA head-on over his outbursts against PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral around a fortnight ago on river Sal pollution, demanding an unconditional apology.
BJP ST leader Anthony Barbosa demanded that Venzy writes to the Chief Minister and the Environment Minister demanding the disconnection of water and power connections of all the households and commercial establishments discharging raw sewage in Sal in Margao, Benaulim and other villages if he has the guts instead of targeting the minister.
BJP leader Dr Sneha Bhagwat also condemned the statement of the Benaulim MLA directed at the PWD Minister.
Addressing the media, Barbosa pointed out that the Benaulim MLA is trying to become a hero over the river Sal issue.
“When the PWD Minister had come to Benaulim to see the sewage treatment plant (STP) issue, the MLA insulted Cabral. This is not the way to behave with a minister. Venzy made a similar drama when mangroves were cut down in his home village Carmona some time ago,” Barbosa said, demanding that Venzy come clear on the mangrove felling and whether they have been restored.
Vijai comes out
in support of
PWD minister
MARGAO:
A fortnight after Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas demanded the resignation of PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral over river Sal pollution, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday said the PWD minister is a man of action, demanding that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assume responsibility of the river contamination since he is a captain of the ship.
Sardesai further said the presence of the Chief Minister at Benaulim will not solve the issue of river pollution or get the bypass on stilts unless Sawant prepares a road map to address these issues.
“There seems an attempt to target Cabral by the new BJP MLAs who have eyed the PWD portfolio. But, Cabral is a man of action. He talks a little more and does not seem to care for the environment. Otherwise, he is a man of action,” Sardesai said.
He added: "The new MLAs pat the Chief Minister on his back by saying the CM is good by targeting Cabral. Maybe the CM likes this policy. When I was the TCP Minister, I had got the main trunk line replaced. The Chief Minister should walk the talk and address the sewage issue.”
