VASCO
The Chicalim gramsabha that was convened on Sunday after a long gap due to the pandemic went on for around 4 hours and heated up over Joggers Park, STP plant and other developmental issues
The gramsabha witnessed heated moments after Chicalim Sarpanch clearly instructed a few local leaders not to use the platform of gramsabha for political mileage and restrict issues only to the development and benefit of the village.
The Gram Sabha also saw the appointment of Sebastiao Lobo, local fisherman on the Biodiversity Management Committee to fill the existing vacancy.
The gramsabha saw heated argument over the mega projects coming up in the chicalim Panchayat jurisdiction.
During the gramsabha, Pratap Mardolkar spoke of closure of natural water drains by private builders and sought the Panchayat intervention to inspect the said project to which The Sarpanch promised to visit and inspect the area at the earliest.
Cyril Fernandes speaking to media later said that it was painful to hear that Chicalim Panchayat had no funds to maintain the Joggers Park at Chicalim.
" Recently the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant had ordered the Joggers Park to be opened in view of the improved pandemic situation.
However, to a question from gramsabha member Alka Damle about the poor condition of the Joggers Park, the Sarpanch expressed his helplessness in maintaining the said park and claimed that the Panchayat has no funds to do so and said that he is trying to extend the maintenance contract through the GSIDC.
"Roopa Naik raised the issue of Sewage and lack of Sewage Pipeline and appealed to the Panchayat to stop issuing fresh licences for Multi-dwelling projects without improving the sewage infrastructure of the village. One member Edwin Mascarenhas pointed out that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered freezing all fresh permissions to multi dwelling projects all over Goa. However the Secretary said that the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court had exempted Chicalim Panchayat amongst others from the said NGT directive and promised to provide a copy of the judgement to him " said Capt Viriato Fernandes.
Captain Viriato Fernandes, Convenor of Goencho Avaaz said that the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) that was to be inaugurated soon would benefit only the builders lobby.
"All mega projects are being providing approvals by MPDA and politicians are involved in this. All STP plants have failed all over India is a known fact and with STP plants failing in such mega projects, the sewage goes in and affects and poisons the ground water. Recently Panchayat minster Mauvin Godinho announced inspection of an area to set up a STP and I want to ask if its for the locals residing here for decades or for the builders lobby that they have set up mega projects in Chicalim. This STPs are taken at our tax payers cost to benefit the builder lobby and they have never taken this step all these years for locals living here, " said Fernandes.
Sarpanch Seby Pereira speaking to media said that the gramsabha was conducted after two long years. Pereira said that very soon the panchayat would inaugurate the garbage. treatment plant and Material Recovery facility taken up under 15th Finance Commission and thanked Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho for his support and Comunidade Administrator Raymond Carvalho for offering the land for the project.
" A lot of issues like sewage, drainage, Joggers Park illumination came up for the gramsabha but these are not gramsabha issues and these issues can be adressed and resolved even during special body meeting if they give us a complain. I have told them that such issues can be resolved at small levels if they inform us but however we have assured the people that issues on sewerage and drainage will be forwarded to relevant departments," said Pereira.
