MARGAO
Local residents of Cutbona are up in arms over Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s directions to the authorities to clear the structures on the jetty road within eight days.
They demanded to know why the boat owners and the authorities are targeting the structures on the jetty when dengue has raised its ugly head because of the scrap vessels abandoned at the jetty and the outbreak of cholera attributed to water.
In fact, resident Seby D’Silva demanded that if the government wants to take away the livelihood of the local residents, they should first raze down the illegal structures of the boat owners who have pointed fingers at the structures of residents at the jetty. Saying that the local residents have to bear the brunt of dengue and other diseases raising its ugly head at the jetty, Seby said the boat owners should be told to operate their vessels from their respective villages.
Another Leslie Cardozo wondered why the boat owners and authorities are targeting the structures on the jetty road when they are in no way responsible for the outbreak of dengue and cholera at Cutbona.
Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, who represents Cutbona ward said the Chief Minister had come to see issues concerning health at the jetty, but some persons have indulged in political issues.
“Locals eke a living on the structures. Where will they go if the structures are razed down. The boat owners demanding action against the structures are not from Cutbona ward,” Veena said.
