Oppose road widening in village
The ancient religious site called 'Mhatarechi Homti' which is facing threat as the land where it is located has been moved for change of zone under 39A.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Siridao locals passed a resolution demanding that the Person of Goan Origin (POGO) Bill be passed in the Assembly.
Speaking at the gram sabha on Sunday, local Tushar Gawas said that the CM has already stated that there exists laws which define a person of Goan origin.
"Therefore, our demand is that the POGO Bill should be passed in the Assembly so that Goa's land, jobs, housing, etc are reserved only for Goans," Gawas informed.
Further, he said that a committee comprising of representatives of all political parties, intellectual people and others be constituted to prepare a final Bill, which then should be passed in the Assembly.
The issue of road widening was also taken up with the locals saying that there is no need for any road widening in the village as it would lead to demolition of temples, house and small shops of locals.
The issue of erratic garbage collection was also discussed with the locals pointing out that garbage collection is not happening in some areas, for which the panchayat authorities were requested to resolve the issue.
Hike in house tax collection was also discussed with the locals seeking to know whether open areas around the houses are also calculated for house tax collection.
Replying to this, panchayat secretary Oswyn Mascarenhas clarified that house tax collection is based on built up area of the house and that open space around the house is not included.
"If anybody feels that open space has been included in house tax collection they can come to the panchayat and get clarity in the matter. If, however, there is indeed any error then the money would be refunded in such cases," Mascarenhas assured.
The members of Sateri Mul Sansthan passed a resolution to protect the ancient religious site on a property called 'Mhatarechi Homti'.
"This is a cave which was used by the locals to do religious rituals when the Portuguese had banned Hindus from conducting rituals. But today the historic cave faces threat from a builder who has applied for change of zone under 39A of TCP Act," said one of the locals and demanded that the site be declared as a archaeological site so that it is protected.