OLD GOA
St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and Azossim-Mandur sarpanch Ajit Bacal sparred at the gram sabha, on Sunday, over issues pertaining to verification of migrants and approvals to mega projects.
It all started with the villagers demanding that the panchayat should keep data of migrants, residing on rent, to keep tab on their activities.
However, sarpanch Bacal stated that the house owners should submit details of the migrants to the police.
Intervening in the matter, MLA Borkar however said that the panchayat should have details of migrants.
“It is the responsibility of the panchayat to keep details of migrants. If the owner does not provide tenants verification, then who would be held responsible when crimes happen? Panchayat should adopt a resolution that they will provide tenants verification and give it to the police,” Borkar added.
However, sarpanch Bacal said that there is no provision that the panchayat should do verification of migrants. “It is solely the house owner’s responsibility to provide tenants’ verification to the police,” he said.
Later, when the issue of mega projects in the village came up for discussion, MLA Borkar said that the panchayat should resolve not to approve mega projects in the village.
However, sarpanch Bacal questioned on what grounds the panchayat will stall mega projects when they are approved legally.
As the discussion heated up, Bacal told the MLA to sit down as being a sarpanch he is presiding over the gram sabha and only a voter from the village is allowed to speak.
“You are not a voter of this village but I allowed you to speak giving you due respect, but it does not mean that you will not allow me to speak,” Bacal said.
This only infuriated the villagers who said that it is an insult to the MLA. But Borkar took the issue in his stride and urged his supporters to calm down.
Later, speaking to The Goan MLA Borkar said that the villagers are facing problems of water supply, power supply, garbage, roads, etc.
“When the villagers are facing such problems, how are we going to deal with the same when mega projects come up?” he posed.
“Therefore, I had asked that a resolution stalling mega projects be taken up and that any project be approved after taking the villagers into confidence,” Borkar informed.
“But, what is happening is that decisions are taken at the fortnightly meetings which should not be the case. If the people feel that they do not want any project in the village, then their wish should be respected,” the MLA opined.
When questioned whether he will propose a bill for making amendment in the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 to see to it that gram sabhas get more powers, Borkar said that he will sit with his legal team and formulate ways for the betterment of the villagers.
“However, I am working on bringing a Land Protection Bill to save Goa’s land,” he added.
