FC Goa must pay rent for usage of ground

The sarpanch of Salvador do Mundo is seen answering the queries of villagers.

Photo Credits: Anil Shankhwalker

PORVORIM

The gram sabha of Salvador do Mundo held on Sunday witnessed unruly scenes after the Sarpanch Antonio Fernandes told the villagers that the panchayat does not receive any rent or revenue from football team FC Goa over the use of panchayat ground by them.
The villagers mentioned that the security guard at the gate of the ground does not allow the local youths to play on the ground nor use the pitch made for cricket lovers. The villagers therefore sought to know from the panchayat whether FC Goa pays any rent or taxes to the panchayat towards the use of the panchayat ground.
The Sarpanch Antonio Fernandes mentioned that in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the panchayat with FC Goa there is no mention of any rent or taxes. The panchayat has now written three letters to FC Goa requesting them to pay rent to the panchayat but in vain, said Fernandes.
There were heated discussions over this matter. The villagers mentioned that if the panchayat does not get any revenue from FC Goa towards usage of ground then it should revoke the MOU signed with the club. Finally a resolution was adopted stating that the Panchayat should demand a rent of Rs 2 lakh from FC Goa towards the usage of ground. It also stated that FC Goa should also look after its maintenance and allow the locals to play football and cricket on the ground failing which the MOU should be terminated.
The Sarpanch informed the villagers that the panchayat has taken a legal opinion and that panchayat has got right to terminate the MOU if FC Goa does not agree to pay rent. The MOU has not been registered with the Registrar but it has been notarised, said Fernandes.
The Sarpanch also mentioned that panchayat is required to set up a shed for Material Recovery Facility (MRF) as per the order of the High Court failing which the panchayat will not be able to issue any construction or business licenses. Hence the panchayat has decided to set up a temporary shed (MRF) for storage for dry garbage in the panchayat property, said Fernandes.
The issues of garbage collection, illegal hill cutting and constructions, issue of tap connections were also discussed in the gramsabha.
Earlier the sarpanch Antonio Fernandes welcomed the gathering and the panchayat secretary Satish Gawas read out the minutes of the last gram sabha held on February 28, 2021. The Dy Sarpanch Roshni Sawaikar proposed vote of thanks.