the goan I network
VASCO
Residents and farmers at Cortalim have expressed strong objection to the flow of cement slurry into the fields and have accused the contractor involved in the ongoing Zuari bridge work of negligence.
The aggrieved residents and farmers also claimed that the compensation to the fields destroyed by the slurry last year had not been settled as yet by PWD and other authorities, despite assurances.
Speaking to the media on Saturday morning, Cortalim-based social activist Devendra Kenkre said since the bridge work is a central government project, the State government had probably not questioned the contractor for allowing the cement slurry to flow into the fields along the highway. “Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai is the son-in-law of the Cortalim village and he should have looked into the well-being of farmers of Cortalim,” Kenkre said.
“Last year before they had begun to release the cement slurry in the fields, we had raised concerns and officers of various departments had arrived with the contractor and assured to take remedial steps. But till date, nothing has happened.”
“The State government is also not taking action against the contractor and I appeal to Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai to look into this matter and help farmers,” said Kenkre
Meanwhile, Cortalim Dy Sarpanch Raymond D’Sa said the farmers had not received any compensation, although the issue of settlement to farmers was taken up several times.
Desa appealed to Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha to look in the matter and request PWD to settle the compensation at the earliest.
“Cortalim has many farmers and the fields are on both sides of the highway. Farmers are struggling with cement slurry flowing in the fields on a regular basis. The yield will also be affected with such hazardous slurry flowing in the fields.” “The PWD must take up the matter and also instruct the contractor to identify a place to dispose slurry, instead of letting it flow in the fields,” said D’Sa.
