P’yat finds no illegality in mega project, says Benaulim sarpanch HERALD REPORTER P’yat finds no illegality in mega project, says Benaulim sarpanch HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 7 Benaulim Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes has said the Panchayat body is bound to issue license/occupancy based on the TCP’s revised plan and occupancy certificate as the Panchayat did not find any illegality during inspection of the mega housing site. Referring to the demand made by the people on the footpath access, the Sarpanch said the Panchayat body had conducted a site inspection and in the report dated May 4, 2006, it is clearly mentioned that the complainants demanded that the builder should leave one meter access towards the southern side of the property. “However, out of goodwill, as the access is not even shown on the survey plan and without any hesitation, the builder gave an access of 1.2 meters and the issue was amicably settled on May 4, 2006”, she said, adding “There is no question of claiming 1.5 meters access when the demand was made for one meter, but the access was kept 1.2 meters since May 4, 2006 till date”. On the allegations lodged by the residents, the Sarpanch said it is not correct that the Panchayat has always been favouring the builder as the panchayat body had earlier issued stop work order dated June 6, 2008, but the same was challenged in the court. On the garbage issue, she said that it was found on inspection that the builder has put a STP plant as per TCP approved and showed the working of the same in the presence of six members. Further, she said that four soak pits and septic tanks were found and inside the project as approved by the Town and Country Planning Act.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29622&cid=26 Tension at Cotigao as law, tradition clash HERALD CORRESPONDENT Tension at Cotigao as law, tradition clash HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, NOV 7 In a direct conflict between law and tradition, a major showdown was reportedly averted in Cotigao late Wednesday night over the hunting of wild boars. According to sources, traditional practices by certain communities demand that residents taking part in a hunting spree, known as ‘Bonvdi’ (a group of people on a hunting mission) kill a wild boar to please the gods on certain occasions during the year. This week, the event was held on Wednesday night, where most of the men folk, comprising groups from different locations, venture into the forest to hunt a wild boar. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29625&cid=26 Construction raises stink in Curca HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 7 While residents of Dabolim raised an alarm bell over the blatant hill cuttings in their area on Friday, the Village Panchayat of Curca, Bambolim and Talaulim has shot letters to the Town and Country Planning, Forest Department, Deputy Collector and police complaining of hill cutting and felling of trees in Survey No 23/1 of Curca village. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29630&cid=26 Voice of Villagers oppose additional land for Verna industrial estate HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 7 Villagers of Nagoa, Verna, Loutolim, Cortalim and Quelossim under the banner of Voice of Villagers have come out strongly against the government’s plan to acquire huge chunk of additional land for the expansion of the Verna Industrial Estate in and around Nagoa, Verna and Loutolim. They threatened to knock the doors of the Judiciary if the government fails to address the genuine grievances having long term ramifications for these villages. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29627&cid=26 Permit or no permit, Canacona coast bustling with tourism activities HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, NOV 7 Permits or no permit, Canacona Municipal Council’s (CMC) coast is bustling with tourism activities since last fortnight at the famed Palolem beach. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=29617&cid=26
