MARGAO
Farmers in the Nuvem Assembly Constituency had carried out work at their own expense to prevent saline water from entering their fields have been reimbursed the amount by Water Resources department and Agriculture department through the intervention of Benaulim MLA Capt Venzy Viegas.
After distributing the amount to the farmers, MLA Venzy Viegas said that these farmers had undertaken this work at their own cost to avoid damage to their fields due to water accumulation.
“I had assured them that he would get this amount reimbursed through the Water Resources and Agriculture Departments, and accordingly, the amount has now been returned to them”, he said.
Pointing out there are a total of 23 creeks in the coastal region, he said creeks are found all over Goa, and they can overflow or break at any time.
“There are creeks in several areas including Benaulim, Varca, Colva, Betalbatim, etc. Timely work must be done to prevent water from these creeks from entering the fields. This requires hiring laborers, which in turn requires proper funding. Arrangements for such funding are essential’, he added.
Venzy said that this issue has been raised multiple times before the government and discussions have taken place.
“Efforts are ongoing to make funds available for this work under the Irrigation Act. He also appealed to the farmers to contact him by May so that the necessary equipment and support can be provided in time to undertake such work”, he said
He thanked the Water Resources and Agriculture Departments for their cooperation in reimbursing the amount spent by the farmers. On this occasion, the farmers present expressed their gratitude to MLA Venzy Viegas for his support and assistance.
