the goan I network
CANACONA
Call it a political pitch or genuine concern, Goa Forward Party representatives descended on Cotigao in Canacona and gave a firm assurance to flood-ravaged farmers on compensation for their crop losses and also promised to look into compensation for agriculture infrastructure losses through the disaster management funds.
GFP representatives Mohandas Lolienkar and Prashant Naik along with Deputy Director of Agriculture Sandeep Phaldessai, Canacona ZAO Chandrahas Desai and others inspected the flood ravaged areas at Nadkem, Dabel and Tamnamoll besides other areas in Cotigao village and took stock of the situation.
Later, they met the farmers at Cotigao Panchayat and tried to assess the crop and infrastructure losses. About 80 farmers have submitted their claims for compensation so far and more claims are likely to be received, said sources.
Later addressing the media, GFP representatives Naik and Lolienkar assured to pay compensation immediately for the loss of crops suffered by farmers due to the floods on Saturday night.
"Regarding the infrastructure losses of pumps, pipelines and retaining walls, Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardessai will take up the matter with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for rehabilitating the losses through Disaster Management Funds," Prashant Naik said.
Citing the reason for sudden floods, the GF representatives blamed the clogged Bhandaras in the upper areas of Cotigao.
"The free flow of rainwater has been infringed by bhandaras that were blocked by fallen trees and wastages. The water gets blocked and sometimes forces open the blocked passages, resulting in floods. We had accordingly suggested regular cleaning of the bhandaras and had even suggested implementation of special scheme to engaged locals for this task. A report is being prepared and will be presented to WRD Minister Vinoda Paliencar. Goa Forward will ensure a permanent solution to this situation," said Naik.
The GF representatives also brought forth non-availability of a motorable road to most of the residential wards in Cotigao, which is mainly due to restrictions of forest department rules.
"The party intends to take up this issue and pursue the matter with the Centre to relax forest acts to permit roads through forest land in Cotigao," Lolienkar said.
BLOCKED BHANDARAS BLAMED
The free flow of rainwater has been infringed by bhandaras that were blocked by fallen trees and wastages. The water gets blocked and sometimes forces open the blocked passages, resulting in floods. We had accordingly suggested regular cleaning of the bhandaras and had even suggested implementation of special scheme to engaged locals for this task. A report is being prepared and will be presented to WRD Minister Vinoda Paliencar. Goa Forward will ensure a permanent solution to this situation -Prashant Naik
Where is 2009 flood report prepared by NIO? make it public: GPCC
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Shantaram Naik on Monday visited the flood-affected areas of Cotigao and demanded that the government should give 100 per cent compensation through Disaster Management Authority for those who have suffered destruction of standing paddy crop.
Naik was accompanied by Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes, South Goa District Congress Committee President-elect Joe Dias, Canacona Block Congress Committee President Elvis Fernandes, GPCC secretary Mahadev Desai, Deputy Sarpanch of Cotigao Bhavica Desai and others.
"Since such incidents occur rarely in Goa, the state government should give funds from its own coffers in addition to the funds that may be recommended by Disaster Management Authority," the GPCC president said.
Appreciating the efforts made by the Agriculture Department in calculating the exact amount of damage caused to the agriculture crop, Naik requested the department to recommend to the government 100 per cent compensation amalgamating different funds that may be available with the government.
Referring to the report submitted by the National Institute of Oceonography in connection with the flood that took place in some parts of Canacona in 2009, Naik said, "The report is lying in cold storage. It should be published forthwith and the people should be informed as to which recommendations have been accepted by the government and which have
not been."
Canacona MLA Fernandes urged the government undertake proper management of bandharas to avoid constant flooding in Canacona area.
