the goan I network
OLD GOA
It was expected to be a stormy affair, but the special gram sabha to discuss and decide on the Bondvoll lake turned out to be a damp squib with only a pre-approved resolution being adopted and no discussion held on the issue.
At the meeting, held in the panchayat hall, hundreds of villagers who had turned out despite it being an Easter Sunday had to leave home disappointed as the meeting was declared over once the resolution to save the Bondvoll Lake was unanimously adopted.
The resolution demanded that the panchayat take steps to demolish the structures built by the tenant and also revoke NOC issued for electricity connection. It has also directed the panchayat to take action against controversial cutting of trees and hill by the builder, and also direct him to remove the barbed wire fencing around his property which falls in the heritage zone.
Prior to the gram sabha, an environment was being created that some people who were involved in the passing of the project would be publicly exposed. The Goan was also contacted on Saturday by a local politician and informed that there was a likelihood of violence taking place and that he was advised to stay away from the meeting.
Was this fear behind the premature end of the special gram sabha? A villager, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was a possibility of violence and that was the reason why it was decided to only adopt a resolution so that any untoward incident wouldn’t mar the real issue of saving the lake.
When contacted, Arturo D’Souza, the man behind the Save Bondvoll Lake campaign, said: “I had come ready to highlight the issue, but I was advised against speaking at the meeting.”
OLD GOA: St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, who made his first public appearance as MLA by attending the special gram sabha on Bondvoll lake, informed that he would first study the issue threadbare by going through all files and then take it up with the chief minister so that the land is returned to the rightful owner, the Calapur Comunidade.
“I have met the committee members and asked them for the file. I will study it thoroughly and only then I will seek appointment with the CM to work out a solution on the issue,” Fernandes told The Goan.
“My first priority would be to see to it that the land is returned to Calapur Comunidade and the government initiates proceedings of land acquisition,” he further stated while informing that later the plan would be to use the water for providing it to Santa Cruz village.
“With a small filtration plant near the lake, drinking water could be supplied to the village for 24 hours,” he opined.
