MARGAO
The Guirdolim Panchayat on Monday lamented that none of the authorities, including the Town and Country Planning department, the flying squad, and the office of the deputy collector, have responded to the alleged hill-cutting activity in the village.
A panchayat delegation led by Sarpanch Sonia Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch Joao Piexote, and members including Franky Fernandes and others inspected the site in question and questioned the activity when the panchayat had not issued any permission.
The Sarpanch told the media after the inspection that though the Panchayat had drawn attention to the TCP, flying squad, and the office of the deputy collector, there has been no reply from these departments to date. “The correspondence the panchayat made to the deputy collector was routed to the Salcete Mamlatdar, who in turn has told the panchayat to initiate action in the matter,” she said.
The Sarpanch pointed out that heavy earth-moving machinery was deployed to carry out hill-cutting activity. “After this inspection, the panchayat will again write to the TCP and the flying squad to take cognisance of the activity,” she added, even as the Sarpanch questioned why the flying squad has not inspected the site.
Panch member Franky Fernandes said the inspection had revealed the extent of destruction at the site, but the TCP and the police have maintained that only vegetation has been cleared. “It is sad to note that the site in question is inhabited by animals as well as birds. Despite the glaring activity at the site, no action is forthcoming from the authorities. The people will later blame the Panchayat for the situation,” Franky said, while requesting TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to take note of the activity and initiate action.
Deputy Sarpanch Joao Piexote said the area in question is frequented by birds such as peacocks, adding that the inspection had revealed the extent of the mud removed from the site.
