Residents hand over memo to Viriato on issues plaguing village
Areal villagers handing over a memorandum to South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes in the presence of Velim MLA Cruz Silva and Curtorim ZP member Michelle Rebello.
MARGAO
Villagers of Sao Jose de Areal on Tuesday made a fervent plea to South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes seeking his intervention in support of their demand opposing the proposed Konkan railway station/ yard/ goods shed in the village.
The MP assured the villagers that he will take up the issue with the Chairman cum Managing Director of the Konkan Railway Corporation next week.
During his visit to Sao Jose de Areal village as part of his ongoing interactive exercise, the villagers handed over a memorandum to the MP on a host of issues plaguing Areal and the State.
Besides objecting to the proposed railway station in the village, the villagers called for a stop to the transportation of coal by road and railways. They further demanded a stop to all the ongoing projects related to coal in the village and the entire State of Goa.
The memorandum drew attention of the MP to the railway station on the South Central Railway line, saying the name of the State is wrongly named as “SAN JUJE DA AREYAL” whereas the correct original name must be “Sao Jose De Areal”.
Demanding special status to Goa as the Prime Minister had already assured the same to the people of Goa, the villagers have called for protecting forests, land, water bodies, agricultural fields, orchard land, hills and mountains. There should be no change of zone or no conversion of land shall be done in our village, they added.
The memorandum demanded setting up a market complex, community centre, sports academy, etc and to organise a programme on various schemes that can be benefited to the villagers through MPLAD Fund.”
“Organise a programme for the youth on various jobs that are available under Central Government of India. CCTV cameras shall be installed in our village at different locations and at the panchayat. Beautification of the Heritage Portuguese Era Bridge. Resolve the water crisis problems plaguing our village and the State of Goa and help the disabled people with the amenities that are available under the MPLAD fund,” the memorandum added.
