Pass resolution opposing move to allow casinos
MAPUSA
Concerns over unregulated borewells and their impact on groundwater dominated the Anjuna gram sabha, with villagers demanding stricter oversight and a halt to new permissions in the wake of the recent High Court action to cap illegal borewells in Chimbel.
Raising the issue, local resident Pradip Harmalkar pointed out that around 70 borewells in Chimbel were ordered shut and questioned whether similar scrutiny was being applied in Anjuna.
Villager Ramesh Naik alleged that borewell water was being used for non-essential purposes such as filling swimming pools, sparking concerns about depletion of groundwater resources.
Responding to the concerns, sarpanch Surendra Govekar said that permissions are generally granted for public use.
However, villagers insisted that the panchayat take a more proactive approach by writing to the Water Resources Department to identify all existing borewells and refrain from granting fresh permissions until a proper assessment is carried out.
The gram sabha also took a strong stand against the possibility of casinos in the village. After a local resident, Ravi Harmalkar, raised apprehensions about such a proposal, villagers unanimously opposed any move to allow casinos in Anjuna and urged the panchayat not to issue any no-objection certificate or approval.
A resolution to this effect was passed, with plans to communicate the decision to the Home Department and the Chief Minister.
Other issues were also discussed during the meeting, including the problem of stray cattle. Harmalkar sought details on the number of animals impounded, to which the sarpanch replied that around 10 cattle had been taken in by the gaushala.
He added that the facility is facing space constraints and has sought additional land, though efforts to secure land from the comunidade have not yielded results so far.
Some villagers, including farmers, expressed willingness to provide land to address the issue.
