THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Parra gram sabha on Sunday decided not to allow electricity poles and high tension power lines to run through the fields of the village.
Sarpanch Delilah Lobo and panch members also agreed to sit in the fields if the electricity department makes an attempt to erect electricity poles in the fields.
Bowing to the wishes of the locals, the sarpanch assured to re-write to the electricity department about the panchayat's opposition to the HT power lines.
She also said that she will call for a joint meeting of the farmers and officials of the power department and collectorate office to discuss the issue threadbare.
Earlier, questioning the role of the local panchayat vis a vis the HT power lines, a local, Casmiro stressed the need to stop the electricity department from going ahead with the job.
Defending the panchayat, the sarpanch said that the panchayat had written to the electricity department opposing the HT power lines through the fields.
“I cannot give NOC to anyone to do work in your fields. We had written to the power department opposing the move in December 2018. We had also asked the department to explore an alternative route,” Lobo said.
When a local, Genieve questioned what else the panchayat will do besides writing to the power department to stop the electricity officials from trying to force their way, the sarpanch said they will block the power department officials if they come again.
“If they come again, I along with my panch members will sit in the fields,” the sarpanch said.
A local said that despite the panchayat letter opposing the HT lines through the fields, the department came with police force to erect electricity poles here.
“This shows the panchayat has no value. How could the cops come without the information of the local MLA,” asked Rock Fernandes.
Earlier, Lobo said since the matter was in court it was subjudice and therefore cannot be discussed in the gram sabha in an attempt to dissuade the gram sabha from discussing the issue.
