the goan I network
PANAJI
A delegation of villagers from Santa Cruz fighting to denotify the village from the Greater Panaji PDA called on Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar to impress upon him to take up the issue in the upcoming budget session of the assembly.
The Leader of the Opposition, in turn, asked, Santa Cruz MLA Antonio “Tony” Fernandes, who led the delegation, to move a private member’s resolution, which would be supported by his party colleagues in the assembly.
Speaking to the media, Fernandes said, “We have submitted a memorandum to denotify Santa Cruz village from the PDA. We have also asked the TCP Minister to denotify the village. If there is no action, I will place the matter on the floor of the house as assured by the CLP,” Fernandes said. “I will stay with the villagers on the issue and this is my assurance. If the government doesn’t listen even after raising the issue in the House, then my agitation will be on the streets,” Fernandes said.
When questioned how he would reconcile on the fact that he was opposing the PDA despite being its member, Fernandes said he was included as per the constitution of the PDA, which mandated that the local MLA and the local sarpanch be named as members.
“As per the TCP Act, sarpanch and MLAs are members. It is automatic and I have not been asked. I read about my appointment on the paper,” Fernandes said.
When asked if he would resign, Fernandes said: “I will go step by step. If the government does not listen to me, then a day will come when I will resign from all these things.”
When pointed out that Sardesai has assured that this will be protected, Fernandes said: “Let him give an assurance in the house.”
