MARGAO
At the Macazana gram sabha presided over by Sarpanch Agnelo D'Costa, gram sabha members adopted an unanimous resolution opposing nationalisation of Goan rivers, besides coal transportation. Sarpanch Agnelo later told the media that the gram sabha was unanimous in their opposition to river nationalisation and coal transportation.
The issue echoed at the gram sabha of Colva panchayat chaired by Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes on Sunday when members moved a resolution objecting to river nationalisation an
At the Macazana gram sabha presided over by Sarpanch Agnelo D'Costa, gram sabha members adopted an unanimous resolution opposing nationalisation of Goan rivers, besides coal transportation. Sarpanch Agnelo later told the media that the gram sabha was unanimous in their opposition to river nationalisation and coal transportation.
The issue echoed at the gram sabha of Colva panchayat chaired by Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes on Sunday when members moved a resolution objecting to river nationalisation an
d transportation of coal. Gram sabha members pointed out that the rivers of Goa belong to the local communities since ancient times, adding that the local communities have the sovereign rights over the rivers, bandhs, khazans. They asserted that the people are rejecting the proposed nationalisation of the six rivers of Goa for being unconstitutional, unlawful and against public interest.
Members pointed out that rivers of Goa have been systematically created by the local communities with ingeniously designed bandhs and flow control systems with incalculable labour spanning thousands of years. "These rivers are held in common by all the local communities since times immemorial. Nationalisation of our rivers is unconstitutional and has no legal sanctity in view of the ownership rights of the local communities over the rivers," the gram sabha asserted.
They further pointed out that the local communities have always been the decision makers, the caretakers as well as the beneficiaries of the rivers. "The deep understanding of the river of the local communities is an important reason for the success of river management by the local communities. Nationalisation is a gross violation of the right of the local communities to decide regarding the use of and upkeep of the rivers," the members pointed out.
More over, they pointed out that the rivers have been used extensively by the local communities for their sustenance and livelihood. "Most villages are dependent upon the rivers for the survival of the residents. The agricultural and fishing practices that have evolved over thousands of years are the reason for the ecological balance achieved in and along our rivers. The protection of our villages from storms is ensured by the local knowledge and expertise in management of the river bandhs and river ecology," the members asserted.
CAMURLIM
MAPUSA
The Camurlim gram sabha on Sunday in one voice decided to oppose the proposed nationalisation of rivers in the State.
Former sarpanch and present panch member, Sharad Gad moved the resolution against nationalization of rivers stating that the move will hamper the fishing activities in the village.
"Nationalisation of rivers will not only affect the occupation of the fishing community, but it will bring disaster to the entire State. There are ulterior moves to nationalise the river and the government has not come clean on it," Gad told the gram sabha members.
Gad also said the move to nationalise the rivers was mainly to assist easy transportation of coal by building ports at various points along the river.
Most of the locals supported the move which translated with the gram sabha unanimously passing a resolution against nationalisation of rivers.
Raising the issue of irregular bus service, locals said no bus service was available in the village on Sundays.
Sarpanch, Vishant Gaonkar informed that a meeting was recently held with bus owners and the RTO where the officials have clearly told the owners to operate bus service on Sundays.
The sarpanch later accepted the villagers demand to invite the bus owners at the next gram sabha so that they understand the problems faced by the locals.
Illegal sand extraction during the night came up for discussion at the gram sabha with Jeonard Noronha, a gram sabha member, urging the panchayat to take action against such errant businessmen in the village. "Sand extraction is allowed from 6 am to 6 pm, but the activity in the night disturbs the sleep of the people," Noronha said.
Former sarpanch, Maheshwar Bhosle said a stretch of the road at Khaner was totally in the dark during the night putting lives of the people travelling at night at risk.
He said some miscreants were indulging in drinking and smoking in the area under the cover of darkness and urged the panchayat to take some steps to resolve the matter.
The sarpanch said every time lights were replaced in the area, miscreants either broke the lights or interfered with the wiring of the lamp posts.
Locals also expressed concern against rampant activity of chopping of trees in a private and comunidade land on a hill in the village.
Velsao Pale
Issorcim
VASCO
The Velsao Pale Issorcim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously resolved to oppose double tracking of railways tracks, nationalisation of rivers, coal handling storage and transportation of coal in the State.
Social activist and former panch, Roquezinho D'Souza placed the proposals before the gram sabha.
Some villagers also complained that the fish market was not ready and informed the sarpanch that the market complex was built in a church property and it should be completed soon or the property had a clause to return it to the church, if not used. Some villagers also requested installing various signboards at different locations.
Speaking to The Goan, Roquezinho D'Souza said doubling of tracks would destroy properties and existing heritage houses in the villages of Issorcim, Vanzorin, Mollem, Dingdollem Dando Challe, Velsao Cansaulim and Arossim and would also cause dust pollution.
"Our rivers are used extensively by the local community for sustenance and livelihood and nationalisation of rivers is for transportation of bulk cargo and private profits, which will displace the local community and destroy marine ecology and fisheries with dredging," said D'Souza.
He said coal pollutes the air in a radius of many kilometres around the handling storage and transportation, leading to many diseases in the thickly populated areas where it is being transported from.
"We must stop coal and fossil fuels at the earliest in the interest of our children and future generations and I had put all these three proposals, which have been unanimously accepted," he added.
AGONDA
CANACONA
The Agonda Panchayat too joined the bandwagon in opposing nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation in the State.
Panchayat secretary Sushant Naik Gaunkar soon after reading the minutes of last gram sabha, also sought approval for income and expenditure incurred by the Agonda panchayat, which was subsequently confirmed and approved after brief discussion.
Some members said all the elected panchas never gave full attendance in gram sabhas during the term moved and passed a resolution demanding presence of all the panchas in the gram sabhas.
Interestingly, only three panchas including Sarpanch Barsat Naik Gaunkar, Panchas Badal Naik Gaunkar and Shilpa Pagui were present for gram sabha on Sunday.
The panchayat secretary took up the application for discussion on nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation and after members cited several concerns and ill-effects, a resolution was passed to inform the government of people's opposition to the two issues.
The members sought information on status of a road between Dessaiwada and Parvem, pending for ages, and also asked why trees, plants and bushes on roadsides affecting not only motorists, but also pedestrians, are not yet taken care of.
The PWD (water supply) was again blamed for its inability to solve the water crisis and villagers wondered when they will get regular supply of clean and pure drinking water instead of muddy water.
Raising concern over the recent bus-car accident, which left over 20 Agonda residents injured, members demanded immediate widening of road and straightening the Dumane culvert.
When questions were raised over the long pending conversion of Dhavalkhazan pedestrian bridge, which is dangerously used by motorists, the panchayat secretary said the new bridge has already been approved by the government, but is awaiting nod from CRZ authorities. Residents of Betulward demanded a bus stop at Parvem-Betul junction.
All the four panchas including Deputy Sarpanch Abel Borges, who moved a no-confidence motion against the sarpanch did not attend the gram sabha. Pramod Phaldessai, Tipu Pagui and Mandira Velip are the three other panchas who signed the no-confidence motion. Madhav Pagui was present as observer from Canacona BDO.
Members pointed out that rivers of Goa have been systematically created by the local communities with ingeniously designed bandhs and flow control systems with incalculable labour spanning thousands of years. "These rivers are held in common by all the local communities since times immemorial. Nationalisation of our rivers is unconstitutional and has no legal sanctity in view of the ownership rights of the local communities over the rivers," the gram sabha asserted.
They further pointed out that the local communities have always been the decision makers, the caretakers as well as the beneficiaries of the rivers. "The deep understanding of the river of the local communities is an important reason for the success of river management by the local communities. Nationalisation is a gross violation of the right of the local communities to decide regarding the use of and upkeep of the rivers," the members pointed out.
More over, they pointed out that the rivers have been used extensively by the local communities for their sustenance and livelihood. "Most villages are dependent upon the rivers for the survival of the residents. The agricultural and fishing practices that have evolved over thousands of years are the reason for the ecological balance achieved in and along our rivers. The protection of our villages from storms is ensured by the local knowledge and expertise in management of the river bandhs and river ecology," the members asserted.
CAMURLIM
MAPUSA
The Camurlim gram sabha on Sunday in one voice decided to oppose the proposed nationalisation of rivers in the State.
Former sarpanch and present panch member, Sharad Gad moved the resolution against nationalization of rivers stating that the move will hamper the fishing activities in the village.
"Nationalisation of rivers will not only affect the occupation of the fishing community, but it will bring disaster to the entire State. There are ulterior moves to nationalise the river and the government has not come clean on it," Gad told the gram sabha members.
Gad also said the move to nationalise the rivers was mainly to assist easy transportation of coal by building ports at various points along the river.
Most of the locals supported the move which translated with the gram sabha unanimously passing a resolution against nationalisation of rivers.
Raising the issue of irregular bus service, locals said no bus service was available in the village on Sundays.
Sarpanch, Vishant Gaonkar informed that a meeting was recently held with bus owners and the RTO where the officials have clearly told the owners to operate bus service on Sundays.
The sarpanch later accepted the villagers demand to invite the bus owners at the next gram sabha so that they understand the problems faced by the locals.
Illegal sand extraction during the night came up for discussion at the gram sabha with Jeonard Noronha, a gram sabha member, urging the panchayat to take action against such errant businessmen in the village. "Sand extraction is allowed from 6 am to 6 pm, but the activity in the night disturbs the sleep of the people," Noronha said.
Former sarpanch, Maheshwar Bhosle said a stretch of the road at Khaner was totally in the dark during the night putting lives of the people travelling at night at risk.
He said some miscreants were indulging in drinking and smoking in the area under the cover of darkness and urged the panchayat to take some steps to resolve the matter.
The sarpanch said every time lights were replaced in the area, miscreants either broke the lights or interfered with the wiring of the lamp posts.
Locals also expressed concern against rampant activity of chopping of trees in a private and comunidade land on a hill in the village.
Velsao Pale
Issorcim
VASCO
The Velsao Pale Issorcim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously resolved to oppose double tracking of railways tracks, nationalisation of rivers, coal handling storage and transportation of coal in the State.
Social activist and former panch, Roquezinho D'Souza placed the proposals before the gram sabha.
Some villagers also complained that the fish market was not ready and informed the sarpanch that the market complex was built in a church property and it should be completed soon or the property had a clause to return it to the church, if not used. Some villagers also requested installing various signboards at different locations.
Speaking to The Goan, Roquezinho D'Souza said doubling of tracks would destroy properties and existing heritage houses in the villages of Issorcim, Vanzorin, Mollem, Dingdollem Dando Challe, Velsao Cansaulim and Arossim and would also cause dust pollution.
"Our rivers are used extensively by the local community for sustenance and livelihood and nationalisation of rivers is for transportation of bulk cargo and private profits, which will displace the local community and destroy marine ecology and fisheries with dredging," said D'Souza.
He said coal pollutes the air in a radius of many kilometres around the handling storage and transportation, leading to many diseases in the thickly populated areas where it is being transported from.
"We must stop coal and fossil fuels at the earliest in the interest of our children and future generations and I had put all these three proposals, which have been unanimously accepted," he added.
AGONDA
CANACONA
The Agonda Panchayat too joined the bandwagon in opposing nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation in the State.
Panchayat secretary Sushant Naik Gaunkar soon after reading the minutes of last gram sabha, also sought approval for income and expenditure incurred by the Agonda panchayat, which was subsequently confirmed and approved after brief discussion.
Some members said all the elected panchas never gave full attendance in gram sabhas during the term moved and passed a resolution demanding presence of all the panchas in the gram sabhas.
Interestingly, only three panchas including Sarpanch Barsat Naik Gaunkar, Panchas Badal Naik Gaunkar and Shilpa Pagui were present for gram sabha on Sunday.
The panchayat secretary took up the application for discussion on nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation and after members cited several concerns and ill-effects, a resolution was passed to inform the government of people's opposition to the two issues.
The members sought information on status of a road between Dessaiwada and Parvem, pending for ages, and also asked why trees, plants and bushes on roadsides affecting not only motorists, but also pedestrians, are not yet taken care of.
The PWD (water supply) was again blamed for its inability to solve the water crisis and villagers wondered when they will get regular supply of clean and pure drinking water instead of muddy water.
Raising concern over the recent bus-car accident, which left over 20 Agonda residents injured, members demanded immediate widening of road and straightening the Dumane culvert.
When questions were raised over the long pending conversion of Dhavalkhazan pedestrian bridge, which is dangerously used by motorists, the panchayat secretary said the new bridge has already been approved by the government, but is awaiting nod from CRZ authorities. Residents of Betulward demanded a bus stop at Parvem-Betul junction.
All the four panchas including Deputy Sarpanch Abel Borges, who moved a no-confidence motion against the sarpanch did not attend the gram sabha. Pramod Phaldessai, Tipu Pagui and Mandira Velip are the three other panchas who signed the no-confidence motion. Madhav Pagui was present as observer from Canacona BDO.
