MARGAO
Salcete panchayat gram sabhas of Seraulim and the riverine villages of Velim and Assolna on Sunday vehemently opposed the nationalisation of rivers, besides the transportation of coal from the MPT as the villagers asked the government to leave Goa and Goans alone.
The Seraulim gram sabha adopted a resolution opposing coal transportation, double tracking of the railway tracks, besides nationalisation of the Goan rivers. The resolution was adopted unanimously as social activist Rodney Almeida pointed out that coal transportation has not only affected the lives and health of the people of Goa, but has affected marine rivers and will pollute the rivers. "The people of Seraulim are opposed to double tracking. Two railway lines pass through Seraulim today and they want to add two more. The government wants to use Goa for coal transportation. We fail to understand why transport the coal via Goa. They can take it to Karnataka," Rodney said.
Fearing that area within a km radius on either side of the Goan rivers will be taken over by the government to set up jetties, Rodney remarked "the government should leave Goa and Goans alone."
The twin issue of river nationalisation and coal transportation reverberated at the gram sabha of Velim panchayat chaired by Savio D'Silva. Gram sabha member and activist Romana Almeida pointed out that the coal transportation will affect the lives and health of the people of Goa, adding that nationalisation of the Goan rivers is not in the interest of Goans.
The two issues also echoed at the gram sabha of Assolna panchayat with Sarpanch Xavier Almeida confirming that the Assolna has unanimously resolved to oppose nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation.
Velim wants sanitation facilities put in place at Cutbona jetty
MARGAO: Taking strong exception to the failure of the authorities to put sanitation facilities in place at the Cutbona fishing jetty, the Velim gram sabha on Sunday has urged the sarpanch to immediately take up with the district authorities the outcome of the meeting convened by the Deputy Collector, Margao over a fortnight ago.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Savio D'Silva saw the gram sabha members expressing their disgust over the situation at the Cutbona fishing jetty, with the authorities neither toning up the sanitation facilities for the migrant labour nor issuing health cards to the workers employed on the fishing vessels.
When the sarpanch drew the attention of the members to the recent meeting called by the Deputy Collector, Margao which ended up in issuing directions to the concerned authorities, members at the gram sabha said the panchayat should immediately write a letter to the Deputy Collector's office stating the ground reality at the Cutbona fishing jetty despite the meeting.
The sarpanch later told the media that his office would dash off a letter to the Directorate of Fisheries that the government should at least provide mobile toilets for the use of the migrant labour at the fishing jetty pending the construction of the 50-toilet block.
The gram sabha also discussed the constitution of vigilance committees, with members saying that since the government has decided to constitute the committees, the panels should be put in place before March 2018.
Seraulim demands Western bypass
to be built on stilts
MARGAO: The Seraulim gram sabha on Sunday has strongly opposed the proposed Western bypass passing through the low lying fields and wet lands of the village, demanding that the government build the bypass on stilts.
The issue came up for discussion at the Sunday gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Domingos Fernandes when members pointed out that the village, its environment and the ecosystem will be affected if the Western bypass is built by land filling. Members reiterated their demand for a bypass only on stilts.
After the meeting, Sarpanch Domingos Fernandes told the media that the gram sabha has adopted a host of resolutions, including a resolution to develop a joggers park.
Replying to a question, he said the panchayat has given its nod for an underpass at the Seraulim railway crossing, pointing out that a proposal has already gone to the government for approval.
The issue of construction of panchayat ghar on land admeasuring 1000 sq metre area came up for discussion. While it was pointed out that the panchayat ghar can accommodate other public utility departments as well, members expressed concern that the project is coming up on an eco-sensitive zone.
Assolna seeks MPLAD funds for CCTVs to monitor garbage dump
MARGAO: The Assolna gram sabha on Sunday resolved to seek funds from the MPLAD scheme to install CCTV cameras right from Assolna-Cavelossim bridge to the Assolna bridge and the Children's park to maintain a vigil on garbage dumping and other anti-social activities.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Almeida deliberated and discussed on the rampant dumping of waste along the road side from the stretch between the Assolna-Cavelossim bridge and the Assolna bridge.
The meeting also deliberated on the anti-social activities at the Assolna Children's park and the parking of vehicles on the two bridges, resulting in traffic congestion.
After much discussion, the gram sabha finally resolved to knock the doors of the MPLAD scheme to install the CCTV cameras at the two bridges as well as at the Children's park to monitor garbage dumping and keep the anti-socials at bay at the Children's park.
The meeting also resolved to write to the Captain of Ports to inquire into the rampant discharge of sewage and waste into River Sal.
The issue of sluice gate at Colleandongor came up for discussion when members pointed out that the sluice gate has not been closed for a long time, as a result salt water has entered the paddy fields. The panchayat was told to write to the WRD to close the gate.
