Cheers to Saligaokars,
Attending Gram Sabhas in large numbers is to make democracy tick. Keep up
the spirit.
floriano
goasuraj
----- Original Message -----
From: "Goanet News Service" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Goanet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 6:22 AM
Subject: [Goanet] Saligao citizens express concern over influx of migrantsin
village
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.
http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=2840&cid=26
