CORTALIM
The Cortalim-Quelossim gram sabha was brought to an abrupt end after chaos broke out over the controversial 'Mini-India Park' project at Quelossim.
The problem arose when activist Lupino Xavier began questioning sarpanch Hillario Figueiredo and secretary Narayan Azgaokar for issuing the provisional NOC to the project. He hit out at the secretary for issuing the NOC when he (secretary) had sought an opinion from the Director of Panchayats.
To this, the secretary informed Xavier that he had sought the opinion for his knowledge and that he was bound by the panchayat's resolution to issue the NOC which was mandated under the Panchayati Raj Act.
The secretary also quoted a government circular which clearly stated that, “There is no provision in the Act permitting the gram sabha to grant permission to either construct or revoke or to transfer with the said permission..."
As the discussions started going out of control with many gram sabha members attacking the sarpanch on the project, the sarpanch ended the gram sabha and walked out. Some woman panchas and the secretary also joined the sarpanch. However, panch Raymond De Sa and two others stayed in the meeting hall and moved out along with the villagers.
Earlier, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha who was also present at the meeting hit out at the sarpanch and the panchayat for issuing the provisional NOC without taking the locals into confidence.
“What was the hurry to issue the NOC for a mega project? Was the project plan placed before the people and was the gram sabha called to debate on the project?” Saldanha asked and accused the panchayat of compromising the interest of the villagers by hiding behind the Investment Promotion Board's in-principle approval to the project.
Some villagers also accused the sarpanch of bypassing the villagers to support the project.
Other issues pertaining to the bifurcation of panchayat, garbage, Regional Plan were also discussed.
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Absence of husband-wife
duo raises eyebrows
THE GOAN NETWORK
CORTALIM
While the gram sabha generated a lot of interest with even those residing in other villages attending the meet, eyebrows were raised over the absence of Cortalim ZP member Antonio Vaz and his wife Merciana Vaz who is the deputy sarpanch of the village.
Sancoale sarpanch Ramakant Borkar and AAP's candidate for Cortalim Olencio Simoes also attended the meet.
While Antonio Vaz also did not attend the Quelossim meet to discuss the project early this month despite being invited, his wife Merciana did not attend the panchayat meet of September 15, when the provision NOC was issued for the project.
In fact, at the Sunday gram sabha, all the panchas attended the meet except for Merciana who is also the deputy sarpanch. Antonio Vaz also refused to answer the phone calls from The Goan.
In fact the villagers questioned as to what could be the motive of Anthony Vaz not to attend the crucial meet, when he has decided to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Later, speaking to media, Simoes hit out at the panchayat, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha (who is also his aunt) and the government for promoting the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) which he said was meant to pass projects which are detrimental to the interest of Goa and its environment.
