MARGAO
The Loutolim gram sabha on Sunday has resolved to get the industries and companies located in the Verna Industrial Estate coming under the village panchayat jurisdiction under the house tax net.
The controversial Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) also came up for discussion after it was raised by the local tenants’ associations. The panchayat, which had in the past opposed the CZMP, once again resolved to object to the CZMP on a host of grounds and to demand withdrawal of the port limits.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Tony Vaz adopted the resolution to bring the 46 companies operating at the Verna Industrial Estate under the house tax net. In this connection, the sarpanch told the gram sabha that he would immediately write to the companies to clear their house tax dues.
The meeting also decided to undertake house tax assessment in respect of the households in the village after it was pointed out that the assessment has been done for the last 20 years.
Gram sabha member Joaquim Gracias raised the issue of alleged filling up of tenanted land by a shipyard at Rassai and demanded that the panchayat initiate action against the owner. Gram sabha members demanded immediate action and restoration of the tenanted land. After discussion, the sarpanch assured that the panchayat will hold a site inspection of the area before initiating action.
Gram sabha member Ramiro Mascarenhas demanded to know from the sarpanch the status of the change of zone into settlement from natural cover zone. He pointed out that the owner had applied for conversion of zone to settlement from natural cover with NTZ in Loutolim village. The gram sabha members demanded revocation of the change in zone, if any, and requested the sarpanch to write to the Chief Town Planner conveying the sentiments and objections from the villagers.
Ramiro and other gram sabha members also raised the issue of garbage dumping in Loutolim village jurisdiction by garbage contractors from Mormugao taluka.
During discussion, it was pointed out that the Goa State Pollution Control Board is insisting on the panchayat to do away with the garbage dump. Agitated members pointed out that instead of asking the panchayat to clear the dump, the GSPCB should initiate criminal proceedings against the contractor from Mormugao, who has been identified as the culprit for dumping waste at the site.
It was finally decided that the sarpanch would immediately write to the GSPCB to get the contractor clear the dump.
The panchayat also discussed the budget estimates for the year 2021-22.
The gram sabha has also proposed to take up with the government the upgradation of the Loutolim Primary Health Centre into a 10-bedded hospital.
