OLD GOA
Residents of Azossim-Mandur have demanded a special gram sabha to be convened by the panchayat to discuss the garbage dumping and illegal construction issue on Azossim comunidade land.
The demand was made as several villagers gathered near the Azossim-Mandur panchayat on Wednesday evening to discuss the future course of action on the issue.
Speaking to the gathering, Prof Ramrao Wagh informed that the issue of garbage dumping and illegal construction came to light when a group of villagers visited the area on Sunday.
“Immediately, we brought it to the notice of the panchayat and other authorities demanding strict action in the matter. However, as no action was forthcoming, we have gathered here to demand answers from panchayat authorities and also to chalk out the future course of action,” said Wagh.
“I have learnt that panchayat authorities conducted an inspection of the site today (Wednesday) and the secretary had filed a complaint with the Agassaim police,” Wagh informed.
“We have been demanding that the said land be allotted to the landless people of the village to build houses. The land could be allotted under government schemes like the 20-point programme,” Wagh added and demanded that the panchayat should put the proposal to the government so that the villagers of Azossim-Mandur benefit from the same.
Wagh also expressed shock that outsiders are now trying to grab the land under the garb of rearing cattle.
“When we visited the area, apart from garbage dumping, we also found that concrete cowshed construction was underway. Also, some land had been grabbed with the installation of boundary poles,” he informed and said that the panchayat should convene a special gram sabha on the issue so that the matter is discussed threadbare and demands of the villagers for land allotment conveyed to the government.
Former sarpanch and current panch Francis Po said the activity of garbage dumping and construction is illegal.
“No permission has been granted for the same,” he added.
“In our village, there are many people who do not have land to build houses and in 2012, we had requested then MLA Vishnu Wagh to propose to the government to grant the land for the needy villagers,” Po stated.
“We should use the land for the benefit of the villagers and outsiders should not be allowed to take over our land. The local MLA should also be approached for his support,” Po added and supported the demand that a gram sabha on the issue should be convened.
Former sarpanch Asha Madkaikar and other villagers also spoke.
