the goan I network
MARGAO
Opposition to coal transportation and nationalization of rivers continued at the gram sabhas of village panchayats across Salcete.
The issue had its echo at the gram sabha of the riverine village of Cavelossim, besides Navelim, Raia and Guirdolim, where the people adopted unanimous resolutions opposing the coal hub and transportation and nationalization of the six Goan rivers.
At the Cavelossim gram sabha, members demanded scraping of the plans to make Goa a coal hub, transportation of coal by road and river nationalization.
Gram sabha member Dixon Vaz and others pointed out that the panchayat should immediately dispatch the resolution to the government for Chief Minister to act. Dixon later told the media that coal transportation via rail, road and waterways would spell doom for the people of Goa.
At Navelim, the issue took centrestage as gram sabha members in one voice opposed nationalization of Goan rivers and coal hub.
Gram sabha member Euleterio Carneio told the media that the members have told the Sarpanch to make a representation to the Prime Minister as well as the President of India, besides the local government on the opposition to the controversial projects. "Goa being a small state will be destroyed if a coal hub becomes a reality. And, the people will not be able to enjoy the rights over the natural rivers if they nationalized under the guise of development," Carneiro said.
Navelim Sarpanch Wilma D'Silva told The Goan that the Panchayat would send the resolutions to the persons concerned as per the decision of the gram sabha.
She added that the gram sabha has unanimously opposed the nationalization of rivers and plans to make Goa a coal hub.
The issue had its echo at the Raia gram sabha too. While opposing the coal transportation and nationalization of rivers, former Sarpanch
Xavier Fernandes moved a resolution to oppose the track doubling project passing through Goa.
He pointed out that hardly a few passenger trains pass through Goa, while saying that the track doubling project is aimed at transporting coal from MPT to various
destinations.
