THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Even as the government’s attempt to convince villagers along Salcete coastal belt to give a nod for mobile towers virtually came to a nought, the Director of Panchayats on Monday said he would recommend to the government to erect temporary towers in the 11 villages only for the BRICS summit.
Panchayat Director, Gurudas Pilarnekar told The Goan that after going through the report submitted by the Salcete Block Development officer, it is clear that villagers are not opposed to the erection of temporary towers specifically for the BRICS summit. “Given the situation, I am submitting my report to the government that the cell phone operators can construct temporary mobile towers in the villages ahead of the BRICS summit. The operators are free to still convince the villagers at their level for the permanent towers in the villages at their level”, he said, adding that he would suggest to the government to go for the temporary towers during the BRICS summit.
Replying to a question, Pilarnekar said he has no problem to depute experts again from the Department of Telecommunications and health in the event the concerned Panchayats request the Salcete BDO. “I have been told that a couple of Panchayats could not take the decision since the experts could not report on time. If these Panchayats want the officials to come again and explain the issue, I can arrange the power point presentation”, he said.
On the question of opposition to the new towers in residential areas, Pilarnekar said it is now for the operators to identify sites which are away from human habitation. “I have been told that a couple of Panchayats have opposed towers in residential areas. Let the operators go back to the villages and identify land away from the place of residence of the local population”, he added.
