MARGAO
Saying that he has now restricted himself in taking up the issues concerning Curtorim constituency, Independent Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, however, underscored the need to resolve the Mhadei river dispute keeping in mind the interests of Goa.
He further said that he has given freedom to the panchayat bodies aligned to him in his constituency to take their own decisions on issues facing the village.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the function organised by Raia Panchayat on Friday, Reginaldo said he would take up the issue of Mhadei river issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to protect the interests of Goa. “Since my opponents have raised a hue and cry in the run up to the Assembly polls that I had neglected Curtorim and was taking up all Goa issues, I have now decided to restrict myself in my Curtorim constituency,” he said.
Reginaldo, however, added that since Mhadei is a burning issue affecting the people of Goa, he would take up the issue with the Chief Minister for redressal.
When the media questioned him over his stand on the controversial housing project near the Maina lake that had brought farmers on the roads, Reginaldo said, “I have given freedom to my panchayats to take their own decision on all issues.”
He, however, hastened to add that in the case of the Curtorim project, the Sarpanch and members were advised by him to revoke the permission since the farmers wanted the project to be scrapped.
In fact, he said he has further advised the Curtorim Sarpanch Caetano Hilario and the members to ensure that all mega housing projects are placed at the gram sabha for the information of the members.
He, however, pointed out that though the Curtorim gram sabha had in the past adopted a resolution, insisting that all mega housing projects should be placed before the gram sabha, the previous body had sanctioned a project during its tenure. Referring to the agitation against the mobile towers in Curtorim village, Reginaldo said, “As an MLA, I cannot oppose the towers since there are people who had asked for the towers. But, I have told those opposing the towers that he can take a resolution stating that no more towers will come up in Curtorim in the future.”
