---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: godfrey gonsalves <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 2008/5/25
Subject: [Gulf Goans] COLVA GRAM SABHA TURNS TABLES AGAINST PANCHAS
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
Constantino Xavier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
marathon Gram Sabha today 25th May, 2008 near the Village Panchayat of
Sernabatim Vanelim Colva and Gandaulim witnessed an adjourned unconcluded
agenda following a spirited disussion between the Chairman ( the Deputy
Sarpanch Mama who took charge of the proceedings in the absence of the
Sarpanch who proceeded on a months leave from 5th May to 5th June) and
others
This meeting was called by a group of Gram Sabha members as the earlier one
could not be held in April 2008.
There were major issues of grant of licences to mega projects the inaction
of the Panchas. The first issue invloved a spirited discussion by one Ms
Juliet Rodrigues from Grande Vanelim Colva who alleged that at least 20
residents were victims of malaria owing to migrants settled near the sites
where mega projects are underway. She demanded that the Panchayat should
pay the medical bills of the affected villagers as it was their imisdeeds
that had brought disease in the area.
Mr Camilson suggested a panel of architects (Mr Dean D Cruz Sarto Almeida or
from Colva Village ) ward panch and three members to examine the profile of
each project and make the same available to the public before granting them
permission.
It was pointed out by the Chairman that the buildings with Ground + two
floors were given a different touch following an amendment by the then Town
and Country Planning Minister Mr Antanasio (Babush ) Monseratte and hence
any change to this rule would need Government intervention by an act of the
Legislature.
There were no roads in the jurisdiction of the Village Panchayat which were
beyond 6 metres and therefore the need for 8 metres road was questioned..
Some of the members alleged that after 1987 when metered water connections
were introduced ther were no changes in the pipelines as a result there was
shortfall of water supply. Similarly there was failure of power supply and
there is a need for proper distribution system, There was an heated
argument as to what constituted infra structure amongs the panchas and the
members .
One member brought the demand to scrap the yellow and black taxis, in toto
as nowehere in Goa were they operating. Instead they proposed that KTC
should introduce buses via the old bridge at Mungul instead of the
circutious route via Dando Benaulim as the women did not like travelling
with tourists and migrants cramped in the taxis. The Chairman agreed to
put up this proposal with both the Chairman Mr Aleixo Lourenco in
consultation with the MLA
Another member Xavier Fernandes alleged that the builder Akr Creations Pvt
Ltd Fatordea Goa had agreed to take care of the mundcars and had signed a
sworn affidavit dated 31.3.2007 regd no; 3223 in that but without pursuing
the clauses 2 . 3 & 4 of the agreement the builder had neared completion of
the project, Incidentally their well was buried and large mounds of mud was
placed in their fields destroying their livelihood. They were pained to
note that the Panch failed to respect their views and therefore unable to
bear the sufferings they have now decided that the Gram Sabha should revoke
the licences instead of a mere stop work They also demanded that the notice
be served on Monday 26th May. 2008 and that the well and the dump be
cleared.
One Terezinha made it clear ----when it was alleged that the Panch were
afraid to take on the might of the builder --- that Builders should stand
forewarned that they should heed to wishes of the people not the other way
round. There was an uproarious applause at this suggestions.
Some villagers also allleged that diseases like malaria were unheard of in
the past but it was the influx of migrants. They alleged that ponds lakes
rivers were full of garbage stench and filth and therefore warned the
Panchayat to stand forewarned on the nuanaces.
There was another incident where permission was granted for a religous place
of worship Shri Mahalakshmi Saunstha Trust Colva way back in 2003 but there
were no parking space as a result there was rampant parking on open spaces
inconveniencing the villagers. They demanded that it was the neglect of the
Panchayat for granting permission without the provision of parking. When
the Chairman Mr Sukhanand P Panandikar assured that new plans were submitted
he wondered how a project which was almost completed was given the NOC and
now fresh plans were accepted. for a mutistoreyed parking.
There was also a suggestion that when new drains were being proposed on the
eve of the oncoming monsoon they should ensure that roads are suitably
widened to atleast 6 metres and then only after clearing the traditional
drains the news drains could be put in place. At one instance it was
pointed out that if this excercise of planning was taken those who sufferred
flooding would be affected it was agreed that emergency cases could be
attended to.
The villagers resolved to clear of the village of all the scrapyards, There
were several instances of subletting and therefore the name photograph of
the licence holder should be displayed on the (gaddas) kiosks
Infact what would otherwise have been a peaceful gram sabha turned out in a
fiasco which required the presence of police force and special armed police
as well to quell frayed tempers . The meeting in the first place began at
11.00 hrs . The mike arrangements were put in place much after the crowd
had already assembled. This resulted in the gathering being annoyed . Then
the sudden absence of the Sarpanch too annoyed the gathering. There were
no sufficient chair to meet the needs of the gathering. In fact one
supporter of a panch member told this writer that in the past there was
never such an unprecedented meeting as this one.
One member made a demand that the traditional houses in the CRZ zones be
permitted to continue and reconstructed with additions and the local MLA who
is a Minister should put this proposal in the Cabinet before the next
monsoon session. A plan showing in green orange and red was shown to the
gathering. He said that in any battle there were Constitutional Judicial and
Peoples views viz Gram Sabhas and therfore we need to send this resolution
to the Government
One member demanded the shifting of the transformer from his property which
was agred upon.
There were heated exchanges between two panch members one Mr Calvert
Gonsalves who was seen in almost a verbiose exchange of personal attacks on
one Camilson Barretto of Sernabattim. There was another incident when in
the heat of the argument Mr Gonsalves also uttered a word "r.....d" which
earned him the wrath of the women. So furious were the women that they all
gathered around the table with the police trying to defuse the frayed
tempers but not until Mr Gonsalves apologsing for this unintended remark /
Inicidentally as the meeting proceeded until well past three it was
suggested to be adjourned bu surprisingly Mr Rajesh Naik the Secretary of
the Panchayat went away from the scene infuriating the villagers . They
refused to accept a delayed meet as the monsoons were expected and therefore
in the absence of any fixed date, the members decided to hold a public
meeting tommorrow evening at the same venue to decide the future course of
action. Mr Panndikar also distributed an undertaking dated 9.1.2006
A purported to be forged document issued by Goa Coastal Zone Management
Authority was circulated to the members present pertaining to demarcation
oif property No 44/2 of Sernabatim village issued on 24/03/2006 to
Akai Creations Pvt Ltd Lake Plaza Opp Nehru Stadium Fatorda
from the Colva end
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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