MARGAO
The gram sabha of the village Panchayat of Raia witnessed uproar over the mobile tower installed at the government primary school complex at Manora.
At the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Mario D’Souza, the local residents of Manora in one voice strongly opposed the mobile tower in the locality. In fact, the residents suggested alternative sites for the installation of the mobile tower.
During the discussions, the gram sabha members pointed out that they are not against the mobile tower per se at Manora, but are only demanding that the tower is shifted to a locality away from human habitation.
The members told the Sarpanch that the Panchayat forward the letter to the concerned government departments to shift the mobile tower from the present location.
Sarpanch Mario D’Souza later told the media that the panchayat had already written to the concerned departments, including the Information Technology based on the representation received from the Manora residents.
In fact, the Sarpanch pointed out that the Raia Panchayat has filed a suit in the South Goa district Court against the mobile tower.
The gram sabha also deliberated on the issue of garbage collection. While there have been questions on the collection of wet waste, the Sarpanch informed that he had recently visited the Goa Waste Management Corporation-run Sewage treatment plant at Cacora-Curchorem.
He said officials have informed him that Cacora plan has around 30 per cent unutilized capacity, which will can be utilised with waste sent by panchayat bodies. He said the Panchayat will explore the possibility of sending the Raia waste to Cacora through government-empaneled contractors after working out the economics.
The issue of cleaning up the storm water nullahs located on the Manora-Arlem stretch of the main road also figured at the discussions. The Sarpanch said the Panchayat would take up the matter with the Water Resources department for de-silting.
