the goan I network
MARGAO
While members of the Curtorim Union led by panch member Santan J Rodrigues, Gromiko Fernandes and others also raised the question of bypassing the panchayat body by starting the work without the panchayat’s NOC, Sarpanch Lucy Rebello told The Goan on Wednesday evening that the panchayat has issued a notice to the company to stop work on
the project.
Panch member Santan Rodrigues made it clear to the media that the people are not opposed to the tower per se, but are agitated at the manner in which the company went about laying the foundation stone without obtaining the mandatory panchayat NOC.
“In this age, when everyone talks of devolution of powers to the grassroot level, how can a mobile company ignore the local body and start work without complying with the provisions of the Panchayat Raj Act,” Santan questioned.
Moreover, he demanded to know how the mobile company can use the government’s notification dispensing NOCs from the panchayat bodies for the installation of towers in the 18 panchayat bodies in Salcete and Mormugao ahead of BRICS summit when Curtorim village has nothing to do with the ensuing summit. “We would like to ask the government whether the mobile companies have been given a blanket permission to install towers taking advantage of the BRICS summit. All people are not opposed to mobile towers, but at the same time such unscrupulous companies cannot be allowed to go scot free without complying with the provisions of the Panchayat Raj Act,” Santan added.
