the goan I network
OLD GOA
Speaking at the Chimbel gram sabha on Sunday, Fernandes said if time comes he will be the first one come out to sleep on the road in protest.
"I have seen that in St Cruz constituency, the government acquired huge amount of land for various projects but the locals did not benefit. Land was acquired for Goa University as well as for school complexes in Cujira but locals did not benefit. Now, in Chimbel the government has acquired 7 lakh square metres of land," Fernandes opined.
"Chimbel is in need of facilities like school, playground, multipurpose hall, police outpost, health centre, post office, toilet blocks, etc," Fernandes pointed out and stated that he will do everything possible from his side to see that these facilities are made available within the 7 lakh square metres of land which is in possession of the government.
"If the government does not listen to these demands, I will be the first person to sleep on the road in opposition to the IT project," the MLA stated.
Fernandes further assured the gram sabha that he will work hard to resolve the issues of water and power woes in the constituency. "If we cannot solve these basic issues, there is no point in talking rocket science," he opined.
"The power minister has already assured of providing 10 new transformers to the constituency which includes the three villages of Santa Cruz, Merces and Chimbel,"
he added.
Brushes aside question on Monserrate
OLD GOA: Showing no signs of slowing down despite the strong rumours that he will be asked to step down to pave way for Babush Monserratte, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes promised the people of Chimbel to allocate one day to listen to their grievances, and if possible put up an office in the village.
"I will make myself available in the panchayat office every week," Fernandes promised the gram sabha while stating that he wants to undertake development of the village in cooperation with the panchayat authorities and the people.
When a local Tukaram Kunkolkar pointed out to the rumours of his quitting in favour of Monserratte, Fernandes simply brushed aside the question and stated: "Let us not focus on the negatives."
The MLA then went on to note down the various developmental projects which are needed for the village and made a promise that he would try and fulfill a majority of them, if not all.
