A report in Herald declares that the flying squad failed to halt filling of
a low lying area in Mungul, South Goa. After one and half hour two policemen
are said to have appeared on the site and did nothing.
Just to recall what I had posted on goanet about the flying squads on
19/5/2010.
"So it is final. Dial 1077 from monday for the flying squad to tackle
filling of low lying areas and illegal construction on hill slopes.
Announcing is one thing and implementing is another. All depends on the
connectivity of BSNL. If you hear "All lines on this route are busy" "Hea
marga voileo soglleo line-i kamant guntleat" then you may keep dialling till
the illegality is complete and no proof on site.
The catch word is 'illegal'. So if you get permission to fill a low lying
area or construct on a hill slope it will not be a case for the flying
squad. There are no base-line maps notified about low lying areas and slope
gradients in Goa. So it is left to a civil servant to discern what is low
lying and a hill slope which largely depends on his eyesight and mental
frame.
Any how, let us wait and watch how the government initiative flies in the
next week. There is no doubt that the benefit of 1077 will be fully utilised
by citizens."
In a letter to the Herald despatched on 15/5/2010, I had stated
"..... All that talk about 'flying squads' being put in place is rubbish as
it appears that the Digu Government is more interested in cultivating '
fleeing squads' that can help destroy the eco-sensitive zones as soon as
possible. The filling of khazan lands and destruction of mangroves along
Ribandar Patto is going on right under the nose of the TCP department which
is situated just a few metres away. Destruction like in Naroa at Bicholim is
like a slap on the face of Goans from these arrogant outsiders."
Just two days ago some village groups paraded a pig in Carmona. Now some
others can parade a donkey.
All is well !
-Soter
