the goan I network
MARGAO
Addressing the media, Allwyn George demand that any illegal or temporary towers erected without any mandate of the gram sabha should be immediately dismantled without any delay.
“We congratulate the people for withstanding the intense pressure from the government on the issue of towers. We condemn the actions of some panchayats who have used this opportunity to collude with the tower companies and a despotic government to clandestinely clear mobile tower proposals despite negative gram sabha resolutions and public outcry,” Geoge told the media.
Social activist, Iris Passanha exuded confidence that the villagers will expose them for their misdeeds and give them a befitting reply in the elections if they dare to re-contest.
He reminded all concerned that the gram sabhas of the villages are supreme in the Panchayat Raj system, adding that matters affect public should be discussed to involve public participation. “Overruling gram sabha resolutions and bypassing the panchayats by the Director of Panchayats, who is the custodian of the Panchayati Raj Act, has set a dangerous precedent in the history of the state,” Iris said, adding “if the government feels that the gram sabhas have no relevance in village governance then its very existence as required under section 6 of the Act should be terminated,” he added.
Meanwhile, activist Judith Almeida has demanded that the Goa State Pollution Control Board to sincerely carry out its functions for which it has been mandated to restore the rivers to their original pristine state. “We want to reiterate that any attempt to surrender the rights of the people by allowing the nationalization of our rivers will be fought tooth and nail including adoption of all legal measures. The rivers and their resources belong to the people of Goa. Successive state governments have allowed our rivers to be polluted with sewage, be abused and degraded that today marine life and rich biodiversity has been almost decimated,” Judith asserted.
Assolna Sarpanch Pedrina Cardozo and activists from other villages
were present for the media briefing.
