MARGAO
Up in arms against what they claimed as harassment meted out to the community by newly-posted Assistant Conservator of Forests, South Vishal Surve, Goan carpenters on Thursday have petitioned to TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai for the immediate transfer of the forest officer.
The minister telephonically spoke to the deputy conservator of Forests, South Anil Shetgaonkar to explain to the new ACF or get him transferred immediately, making it clear that Goan carpenters form part and parcel of Goem, Goem
kar and Goemkarponn. "Explain to the new ACF that the carpenters are all Goans. They are all Goemkars, the trees are Goemkars and the carpenters also have love for the trees. No injustice should be done for the local carpenters," Vijai told Shetgaonkar telephonically even as he asserted that no injustice to the carpenters will be tolerated by him and his government.
A group of carpenters from Salcete countryside called on the TCP Minister and drew his attention to the alleged harassment meted out to them by the new ACF Vishal Surye.
The carpenters led by Joe D'Costa told the Minister that the new ACF has been harassing them by insisting on documents, which were never asked by the forest officials. "He is not even giving permission for lifting of fallen trees. Even permissions signed by the former ACF has been stopped by the new officer," he claimed.
Joe claimed that the new forest officer has issued an order to the staff not to allow cutting of a tree leaning on a house without inspecting. "Earlier, such trees were being cut by the owner after filling up the prescribed forms," he said.
The carpenters demanded that the government should immediately transfer the ACF from South Goa.
When The Goan contacted Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Anil Shetgaonkar to shed light on the situation, he said the carpenters must have encountered some problem, but hastened to add that there's no harassment meted out to them by the new ACF. "The ACF is presently on leave and I will find out from him the allegations made by the carpenters. I think they have a problem because of the documents. The issue will be sorted out soon," Shetgaokar added.
A group of carpenters from Salcete countryside called on the TCP Minister and drew his attention to the alleged harassment meted out to them by the new ACF Vishal Surye.
The carpenters led by Joe D'Costa told the Minister that the new ACF has been harassing them by insisting on documents, which were never asked by the forest officials. "He is not even giving permission for lifting of fallen trees. Even permissions signed by the former ACF has been stopped by the new officer," he claimed.
Joe claimed that the new forest officer has issued an order to the staff not to allow cutting of a tree leaning on a house without inspecting. "Earlier, such trees were being cut by the owner after filling up the prescribed forms," he said.
The carpenters demanded that the government should immediately transfer the ACF from South Goa.
When The Goan contacted Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Anil Shetgaonkar to shed light on the situation, he said the carpenters must have encountered some problem, but hastened to add that there's no harassment meted out to them by the new ACF. "The ACF is presently on leave and I will find out from him the allegations made by the carpenters. I think they have a problem because of the documents. The issue will be sorted out soon," Shetgaokar added.
