CORTALIM
Intervening during the discussion, sarpanch Hillario Figueiredo informed the villagers that during the meeting with the Fisheries Director last week, he made it clear that as far as the development of the present jetty was concerned, the panchayat had no problems but was against any expansion of the jetty.
“The panchayat has not given any permission to the fisheries department to expand the jetty. We made our stand clear and an inspection has been fixed by the fisheries department and GIDC on March 7,” Figueiredo said, and urged the villagers to remain present for
the inspection.
However, one resident Anthony Texeira, who had raised the issue, demanded that the Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha be invited for the inspection since during the last inspection she had opposed the project.
However, the sarpanch said the panchayat would inform the MLA and it was up to her (MLA) to be present for the inspection.
Local panch Raymond De Sa too expressed his support stating that he would stand by the villagers and recalled that in the past the gram sabha had opposed the expansion of the jetty.
Another issue which came up was the cruise boat whom some of the villagers accused it of playing music much beyond the stipulated time, which panchayat
promised action.
The villagers demanded that the licence be withdrawn or not be renewed for violating the conditions of the licence.
The villagers told the sarpanch that on February 23, the boat was playing music as late as 2.30 am and no action was initiated.
However, the sarpanch informed the villagers that he would issue a show cause to the boat owner for playing music beyond the stipulated time between 6 pm to 11 pm.
Secretary Narayan Azgaokar, however, made it clear that the the licence cannot be withdrawn unless the show cause is issued first.
