the goan I network
MAPUSA
The villagers of Aldona have unanimously opposed the Sagarmala project and rejected the plan of constructing a jetty at Aldona even as the deputy captain of ports, Premlal Sirsaikar, walked out from the extraordinary gram sabha midway unable to convince the locals about the project on Sunday.
The villagers also passed a resolution opposing a letter written by Captain of Ports James Braganza asking the Director of Panchayats to direct the village panchayats not to oppose the Sagarmala project.
The gram sabha also condemned the behavior of the deputy CoP for walking out of the gram sabha without taking public questions and communicate to the CoP expressing strong displeasure and disapproval of his deputy’s conduct.
A large number of villagers turned up at the gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Francisco D’Souza to discuss the development of Aldona jetty as part of the Sagarmala project.
The gram sabha demanded that the panchayat forward the three resolutions that were adopted to the local MLA, Captain of Ports, Director of Panchayats and other authorities.
Initially, agitated gram sabha members refused the deputy CoP Premlal Sirsaikar from going ahead with the presentation calling for the detailed project report (DPR) of the project as was demanded by the villagers in the earlier meeting held in July 2019.
Amidst the uproar, the deputy CoP finally was allowed to present his slide presentation on the project which he completed in five minutes.
Describing the Sagarmala project as a scam of crores of rupees, Amarnath Panjikar, a resident of Corjuem, vowed to stand by the locals and oppose the project in the village.
“You have sold our Mhadei. Now, don’t come to sell our rivers. We don’t want this project. We Aldonkars will never allow you to do anything here,” Panjikar said.
Another son of the soil, Adv Carlos Ferreira slammed the deputy CoP for peddling lies over the project and failing to report facts as per the DPR.
“The DPR was prepared in November 2017. Why is it not shown? It is a faulty DPR. Please don’t play with the sentiments of the people of the village,” said Ferreira directing his ire towards the official.
Another local, Salvador (Seby) Fernandes informed the gram sabha that the central government could transport anything it wanted and the Sagarmala project was nothing but a backdoor entry for transportation of coal.
“We should say no to the project and stay firm on the decision,” Fernandes said.
Several members of the gram sabha seized the opportunity and began pounding Sirsaikar with several queries about the project.
The deputy CoP tried to reason out with the gram sabha members but got exasperated and walked out of the gram sabha midway even as the members booed him.
Earlier the deputy CoP informed the gram sabha that official public hearings on the project will take place soon and at that time all the documents will be provided to the public. “There is a procedure to follow like holding environment public hearing which will be done at an appropriate time,” Sirsaikar said.
He also agreed to provide the DPR to those interested and asked them to meet him in the office. He also conceded to upload it on the website as per the demand of the members.
This is the second time the deputy CoP has failed to convince the people of Aldona about the Sagarmala project. The first such meeting was held on July 7, 2019, where villagers had asked him to come prepared after proper study and to also bring the DPR along.
