Saligao citizens express concern over influx of migrants in village
PANJIM, APRIL 19 - Saligao citizens vociferously protesting against the massive influx of migrant labourers at the recent Gram Sabha meeting held recently, warned that the peace of the village would be threatened if the antecedents of these labourers were not checked.
Protesting against the presence of these migrants, Tony Remedious, speaking at the recent Gram Sabha pointed out that many of the migrant labourers consume alcohol in large quantities and on getting intoxicated cause disturbance in their neighbourhood, due to loud shouting and fighting.
Remedious questioned as to how these migrant workers were offered residential permission without proper sanitation facilities. He pointed out that these workers were answering natures call in the open, thereby dirtying the neighbourhood causing the place to stink and threaten the outbreak of diseases.
Carlos Fernandes, accused some of the village elected representatives in the Saligao panchayat of assisting some of these migrants to settle down in the village by illegally issuing them ration cards, keeping their vote bank in mind.
Diego Fernandes and Alfred D'Souza demanded the panchayat to produce a list of all migrant workers present in the village and that a copy of the same list should be handed over to the police for verification of these peoples' antecedents.
Another senior citizen Joaquim Liago, disclosed that some migrant workers were busy carrying out carpentry and glass business opposite his residence - Amelia Apartments - as a consequence of which he cannot sleep. He revealed that he had complained to the panchayat but no action was forthcoming.
Remedious pointed out that if the Panchayat found it difficult to close down businesses that are causing a nuisance to the villagers, it could intimate the Pollution Board to stop it.
The Panchayat budget drew flak amongst the villagers. Remedious asked the secretary on what basis was the budget prepared as the figures he said were highly inflated.
Remedious requested the observer present to inform the Block Development Officer (BDO), Mapusa, that the people were unhappy with the audit report and that he should personally rectify the irregularities immediately.
The Saligao Sarpanch and the Secretary assured the Gram Sabha that all issues raised by the public would be resolved before the next Gram Sabha.
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