MAPUSA
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira said several farmers were coming forward to cultivate their fields but wanted support from the government whenever bunds broke or faced with natural calamities.In bid to understand and resolve issues of farmers, the MLA along with the officials of soil conservation and water resources department conducted an inspection of bunds, sluice gates and water channels at various points in the constituency.
He visited various places like Calvim-Punola, Calizor, Ponollem, Goljuem, Nivim, Atafondem, Moira, Sataporio etc and issued instructions to the officials.
“Due to the damaged bunds at Ponollem, the fields get flooded and farmers face problems almost every year. An estimate will be prepared by the engineer concerned to repair the bund before the monsoon. As part of long-term measures, it is proposed to undertake repairs of the 6km long stretch. Work will start after the estimate is ready,” Ferreira said.
He also said the issue of water entering into the houses at Corjuem will be soon addressed by reviving the tender which had been stalled.
Interestingly, the MLA found that the sluice gates at Calizor were removed.
“This is very bad as it has caused flooding in all the fields. Even the wells have turned saline,” he pointed out.
Ferreira further said that people had some misconception that the bund repair work was meant to make a road for the benefit of some people.
“We managed to explain and convince them that it is for the benefit of farmers,” he said.
