Malar church parish priest Fr Aldrin D’Costa speaks at the Sao Mathias gram sabha on Sunday.
OLD GOA
The locals of Vanxim have opposed development undertaken by the Sao Mathias panchayat on their island, which they say is based on lapsed NOC granted by the Church.
Raising the issue at the Sao Mathias gram sabha, on Sunday, a local Andrew D’Mello questioned whether the latest development undertaken by the panchayat in Vanxim has NOC from the Church.
When sarpanch Mohan Volvoikar informed that the Church has granted NOC in 2013, parish priest Fr Aldrin D’Costa pointed out that the same has lapsed and it cannot be used to undertake fresh development on the island.
“Vanxim belongs to the Church and the 2013 NOC cannot be used for fresh developmental projects. It has already lapsed and fresh permission needs to be taken,” Fr D’Costa pointed and informed that the Church is not against development but only the way it has been done without taking the Church into confidence.
The issue of garbage was also discussed with Agnelo Menezes pointing out that people are throwing garbage along roadsides, open spaces, etc and dirtying the village.
Menezes further sought action against such people who are dumping garbage.
However, sarpanch Volvoikar informed that he just cannot take action unless there is evidence of the persons dumping garbage.
“Click a photograph of the persons dumping garbage and I will initiate action,” Volvoikar stated while opining that it is the people’s responsibility also to keep the village clean.
Meanwhile, secretary Jonu Naik stated that the panchayat has setup a temporary MRF upon directives of the High Court and urged the people to give their waste to the waste collectors instead of littering around.
Menezes also raised the issue of collection of street light tax by the panchayat when other panchayats have already abolished the same.
“Many panchayats have stopped charging street light tax as maintenance of the street lights is outsourced,” Menezes stated and demanded that the same be abolished.
Sarpanch Volvoikar said that the panchayat was collecting the tax since there was no objection from anybody before now.
“If the people do not want then we will not collect the tax,” he added.
The issue of non-maintenance of SAG ground and the multipurpose sports complex were also raised. However, sarpanch Volvoikar said that both the projects are not handed over to the panchayat till date and that it is the responsibility of the respective departments to oversee the maintenance.
