OLD GOA
AAP leader Ramrao Wagh has demanded a thorough probe into the Azossim project where the panchayat as well as the TCP has issued stop work notices.
Wagh also demanded separate probes into the forest fires in Mandur comunidade property and a private property, as also a probe into the unauthorized widening of road by encroaching into Mandur comunidade.
Speaking at the gram sabha, on Sunday, Wagh pointed out that he has been highlighting the Azossim project issue for many years and only now, after the MLA Viresh Borkar raised the issue in the Assembly, that action has been forthcoming in the matter.
“However, there needs to be a thorough probe as to how the zones were changed as part of the property is a forested area and part no development zone. Even, TCP minister Vishwajeet Rane himself tweeted that there is a Rs 500 crore scam,” Wagh stated. He further demanded that a joint inspection of the project should be held along with all the concerned authorities and the villagers so that the reality comes to light.
Replying to this, sarpanch Prashant Naik said that the TCP has already issued a show cause notice cum stop work order to the project. However, Naik said that the panchayat is willing to hold joint inspection along with the villagers and the concerned authorities.
Further, speaking on the forest fires, Wagh said that the panchayat should also follow up on the issue and see to it that the culprits are brought to book as it involved the comunidade land. To that, sarpanch Naik said that the panchayat as well as the MLA Viresh Borkar are constantly following up with the concerned authorities.
Finally, Wagh questioned how a road of over 10 meters was allowed to be built to create access to a private project. “It is surprising that such a wide road is allowed to be built by encroaching into Mandur comunidade land. The panchayat should ensure action in the matter,” Wagh demanded.
Sarpanch Naik said that the road was widened much before the current panchayat came to power. “However, we have issued a stop work notice to the party,” he added.
The issue of collection of garbage tax to the tune of Rs 360 per annum was also discussed with the villagers questioning why all waste is not collected. “Why should we pay the garbage tax when the panchayat is not collection waste like pampers?” questioned a villager while also pointing out that wet waste is also not taken.
Agreeing that the panchayat is not collecting all types of waste, sarpanch Naik said that for the moment the panchayat is only collecting dry waste which is why the garbage tax is half.
“We do not have facilities at the moment as we do not have a large Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to sort waste,” Naik stated. “We are on the lookout for a land to build proper MRF and once that is done, then we will be in a position to collect all types of waste,” Naik informed.
Other issues discussed included the fiasco surrounding the bus stop shed at Tinto, the naming of roads, and others.
