MARGAO
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has promised to take up the long-pending panchayat ghars in the panchayats of Chinchinim and Assolna and has given his in-principle nod to lay underground cabling in Assolna, Velim, Ambelim and Chinchinim circle at Rs 86 crore.
Sawant has further assured to order a study into the issue of mangroves coming in the navigational channel in river Sal at Assolna and also look into the issue of illegal scrapyards operating in Sao Jose de Areal.
The promises have been handed out by the Chief Minister to Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who called on Pramod Sawant with the sarpanchas, deputy sarpanchas and panchas of the panchayats in the Velim constituency.
The Velim MLA informed that Sawant has promised to take up the long-pending panchayat ghars in Chinchinim and Assolna. “The panchayat ghar at Chinchinim has been pending for the last 15 years. Though the panchayat had proposed a ghar cum sports complex at Chinchinim, Sawant has agreed to take the ghar in phase-I,” he said.
On underground cabling, the Velim MLA said the Power department has prepared estimates for underground cabling in the Chinchinim circle and Assolna, Velim and Ambelim at Rs 86 crore, adding that Sawant has agreed in principle to fund the project.
On the question of the road bypass demanded by Chinchinim villagers at Dandeavaddo, he said Sawant has requested a delegation to call on the PWD, Chief Engineer to discuss the issue.
On the sanitation at the Cutbona fishing jetty, he said Sawant has issued instructions to commission the 12 bio-toilets immediately, adding that the CM has suggested CSR from the boat owners towards the upkeep of the sanitation facility.
Similarly, Cruz said Sawant has agreed to give relief to the traditional fishermen eking a living fishing in river Sal by reducing the fee on stakes from Rs 10 per stake to Rs two. He, however, said that issue of clearing mangroves dotting across the navigation channel in Sal at Assolna will be cleared after a study by the Forest Department.
A police outpost and a primary health centre at the Nessai IDC have been proposed in Sao Jose de Areal, he added.
