Allwyn, We are in no way opposed to Gaddos, as long as they are in a location that does not affect traffic and cause a hindrance or danger to pedestrians. The plan was to have a food court in the planned area so that a bunch of village folk could showcase their product in one place. Austy has done a commendable job with the Regional plan, in the renovations to the Church and has contributed in more ways to the positive aspects of the village. As a matter of fact if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have been able to get the Regional Plan passed. I apologize if I have not made this clear in my earlier communications. This is just a disagreement on a couple of issues. All we were asking for was that we have a plan, move forward in conjunction with the Plan, stick with what was agreed to by the whole village. This would allow for sustained development that would be beneficial to all of us in the long run. That's it. Regards, Maurice
--- On Wed, 7/1/09, allwyn de Souza <[email protected]> wrote: From: allwyn de Souza <[email protected]> Subject: [SALIGAONET] Re: gaddo too many? To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 5:02 AM Dear Maurice , All of a sudden there is an anti- gaddo wave amongst a few - in these times of recession and unemployment self- employment units like these 'gaddos ' provide a source of income to a lot of people especially the youth. Its not only Saligao but in other villages as well that you will find such licences being issued to locals so that they can be gainfully employed . Only after Anil set up a gaddo we find so much of hype being created . Lets not forget that prior to Anil there was already a similar gaddo in the very same place serving almost the same items run by Govind Pandit for over ten years and at that time nobody objected. About your statement regarding issuing of NOCs - I think what Austy and the other committee members are doing is totally in the interest of the village and with consent of Gauncars . Lets not forget Austys' contribution and how he singlehandedly supervised the entire church repairs last year and the construction of the beautiful cross in front of our church which has enhanced the facade of our Saligao Church. Allwyn --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Austin Goandreams <[email protected]> wrote: From: Austin Goandreams <[email protected]> Subject: [SALIGAONET] Re: gaddo too many? To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:30 AM Hi Maurice, Your reply has come late and though this matter was taken up in the last meeting at the communidade on Sunday (28/6) and Ashley and the other gauncars present were briefed, and according to what was discussed, a consensus was reached, which was part of our earlier N.O.C's. Please get Ashley to brief you....1 On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 6:59 AM, Maurice Britto <[email protected]> wrote: Hey Austy, I apologise for the delayed response, was travelling. Unfortunately, though it may not seem that way, whether you like it or not, as Attorney of the Communidade (or custodian as you call it..) you are the Protector of Saligao Village lands at this time. What you do through the Communidade, directly impacts the village forever. I don’t think any of us are against development; we need to ensure that the decisions that are being made are to the best interest of the village and not just the benefit of a few. The whole idea of the Draft Regional plan was to enable planned development that was sustainable and beneficial to the village, not this random NOC and approvals that allowed for structures all over the place. It was because of the illegalities in the first place that this whole grass roots movement took off. This was a village exercise that needs to be respected. I remember clearly us having the discussion that Anil’s stall on the roadside was temporary and would be moved into the new market place once it was erected and further, that no new roadside stalls would be permitted. The rush to issue NOC’s claiming to be beneficial to the village when they do not conform to the plan, is suspect in itself. .... I WANT TO STATE VERY CLEARLY THAT THERE NEVER WAS A RUSH TO ISSUE ANY NOC's , EITHER THEN OR NOW AND THE PRESENT NOC's FOR THE ERECTED GADDO'S WERE ISSUED MUCH BEFORE THE DRAFT REGIONAL PLAN WAS DISCUSSED BY US. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE UNNECESSARY STATEMENTS WITHOUT KNOWING THE TRUTH. DEFAMING SOMEONE ELSE COMES EASY. PLEASE SUBSTANTIATE YOUR ALLEGATIONS WITH SOME PROOF (dates etc.)_ What is the urgent need for roadside stands, when you could have easily incorporated them into a new Market place or an area off the main road? Your compassion for the poor is commendable, but rather than rush the NOC's lets push for the new Marketplace and incorporate them in there! All decisions be it Panchayatt, Government or Communidade need to conform to the Saligao Draft plan because it was an exercise by the whole village. ...... Looks like you do not read what is written, but just go on with your own preaching.. I have mentioned several times that it was at the request of the applicants that the particular spots were given NOC's. My compassion for the poor is not for you to appreciate or otherwise, and I do not require any certificate or permission from you to do what I do..! At the moment nothing needs to conform to the new draft regional plan. Agreed that it is a exercise by the whole village, but whether it will be implemented as per what we forwarded is to be seen. The Sarpanch had not signed in spite of repeated request was known to all. I am also not trying to push the blame onto the panchayat, but this is the way things work. NOC's are sought from us the Village Panchayat many times to do improvements and developments in the village, (which we give or reject), but if the work has to be done/approval required from higher Government departments, our NOC's are forwarded to them by the panchayat, and then it is the Government departments call, whether to approve/give permission or not. Here the Village panchayat being the final approving/licensing body, they have to decide whether to grant permission or not. Their contention that they are against these stalls is an eyewash....look at the stalls sprouting along the CHOG-M road (fabricated ones) which appear over-night. The only regret of the ones telling you this is that they could not utilize this space outside the primary school themselves....!! You transferring the onus onto the Panchayatt to reject permission once you have issued an NOC is a bit of a stretch, this is their vote bank. They have actually said that they are against the stalls at the intersection, however, once an NOC is issued by the Communidade, if they reject it, it looks like they are the ones against the "poor" as you call it. Further, please let me draw your attention to the fact that Panjim among other major Cities, has removed all roadside stalls and kiosks as a hindrance and a danger to pedestrians and has incorporated these stalls into a marketplace. We here in Saligao, in our better judgment and wisdom are issuing new NOC’s to roadside stalls at main intersections, because they are beneficial!? ....We cannot compare Saligao and Panjim. I am not getting into a debate on this. Once again please check with Ashley the future plans for these "kiosk's". Again you allege "new NOC's" ??? I have no beef with you, or an axe to grind with anybody, I think the objections of a few of us that you refer to is not to sustainable development, but to the wanton disregard and greed of some to the detriment of us all. Due to the foresight of our forefathers, Saligao has the distinction of being one of the Premier villages of Goa. In our rush to issue NOC’s we have already changed the façade of Saligao and the Church forever, let’s not rush into any further NOC’s without doing due diligence and look at the benefits to the whole village rather than that of just a few. ....What I have referred to Maurice, is not your objections or that of Ashley and Keith, but to FALSE AND BASELESS statements and allegations being made. You refer to 'wanton disregard and greed of some' and thus try to to sly make an allegation. I for one challenge you or anyone else to make a direct straightforward allegation/accusation, against me or anyone of us in the present Communidade managing committee. Our 'Gaoncars' are very well aware of what we do and don't. I cannot understand what you meant by ".....already changed the facade of Saligao and the Church forever,..." I will not dignify your allegations with any further reply. If in future you have any clarifications you require, I will be pleased to do so if you meet me personally on any day, or at the Communidade on any Wednesday morning when the same is open for public interaction from 10.30 am onwards till 1.00 pm. In future kindly refrain from making allegations directly or indirectly without knowing the facts. Please remember that some of us have not only tried to keep Saligao clean and green, but have also actively worked to maintain what our ancestors have left for us. Having left better placements in the middle east and other places, there are many whom I know, who not only preach. but have quietly done their bit for Saligao. I should know, because I have been here both at the Panchayat, Communidade and other places, doing my part for the last 23 years after having lived here from childhood, less 4 years spent abroad. I also know of others, who have after doing whatever they wanted, have joined few of the current NGO's around, and take up social causes to deflect attention from themselves....! with regards Austin . --- On Thu, 6/18/09, Austin Goandreams <[email protected]> wrote: From: Austin Goandreams <[email protected]> Subject: [SALIGAONET] Re: gaddo too many? To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 3:45 PM Hi Budzer/Ashley, Its time I reply to the load of bull that is being put up by you guy's on the Saligao-net.. First and foremost let me get what questions Budzer asked answered.: 1. I am not the 'protector' as you put it, but in my capacity as the attorney of the Communidade of Saligao, I am obligated to act as the 'custodian' of all communidade land within Saligao, both tenanted and untenanted. The present land in question which is outside the compound wall of the Government Primary School, is a part of the entire 'bandh' that starts at the junction and goes up to the bus stop near "Casa Tipri". 2. The matter of these Gaddo's (kiosk's) was decided by the general body of the Saligao Communidade, and on my recommendation, it was decided after due deliberations, that the managing committee would be free to allot 1.5m X 2m fixed kiosk spaces to gauncar's and other deserving parties who apply, on Communidade 'bandhs' adjoining the main roads, and near the Seminary/Industrial Estate and the Government Primary school and the area near the Mollembhat communidade property. This was to be done at the sole discretion of the managing committee, on a 'first apply- first get' basis. The Attorney as usual has the final say in case of dispute (which we did not have).. I HOWEVER WILL NOT MAKE PUBLIC, HOW AND WHY, WE DECIDED ON DOING THIS (giving the permissions for Kiosk's), but please rest assured that the decision was taken in the best interest of Saligao and the Communidade. For Years gaddo's have been opeation on various spots in Saligao on the land belonging to the Communidade, but not a single paisa in revenue was made by the Communidade. Several people who had earned the right to pluck the coconut trees, because they had bid and won auction rights have tried to usurp these bandhs of the communidade by claiming rights as tenants. The same goes to Atmaram Parulekar (Anil's father) who is claiming the stretch of land in question near the "AULA" belongs to him. When I pointed out to Anil that he cannot be a tenant as there is not a single coconut tree there, he was forced to come and take a N.O.C from us and pay the licence fee for the period of 11 months. 3. Four (4) N.O.C's were given by the communidade for this stretch outside the school. The reason that the kiosk's have reached close to the intersection, is because Anil threatened them and told them not to come close. One person's kiosk was forcibly removed and thrown in Panchayat compound. Only after the Police threatened strict action, did Anil & co. bring it back and put it in place. I hope this answers you, if not please take the time to come and meet me on Wednesday after 10.30 am and I shall be glad to enlighten you further! Now to Ashley's queries.... 1. The communidade of Saligao has always been the main benefactor of the poor people of Saligao, giving fields, land, auctions etc at low prices to those who want to earn a sincere buck. If you look around and come to the communidade, I will be glad to show you details. this is another such deed. It was decided to fix the rent at such a low amount, to enable the person concerned to get a decent income. Our land was anyway lying there with others charging money to run small mobile carts etc. The lease being of temporary nature for only 11 months, we found it okay and we had decided that we would review the same the following year.... 2. You are going off on a tangent here and I do not want to say anything further on this point. 3. The structure which you say are permanent are in reality (as can be seen by all) tin and plastic/partly G.I. angle structures, and can be lifted and moved whenever necessary. The Cement used by them is illegal, but explanation given is that it is done to avoid robbery of the same and to prevent water damage. 4. I have already said why the kiosk's have come so close to the intersection. It was clearly decided that the road widening would not take place any more that what is being done. This is private land of the communidade and the PWD has to acquire the land before any further widening. We however have let it pass as it is in the interest of the people to have better roads. We understand progress and development, but we also know that the Government or whichever department of it want land, they ask and acquire..!! In the present case, right from Parra-Saligao boundary the road has been widened on both sides without seeking our permission or acquiring it to the best of our knowledge. The major part of the bandhs on both the sides (which once had two long rows of coconut trees growing on it) of the road have been leveled, and now pose danger to the remaining coconut trees, as their roots have become weak and in some cases cut. What road widening more are you talking of?? did we not in the new draft regional plan say and propose the road to be left untouched? 5. Interest of the village should take priority I agree, but PLEASE DO NOT TAKE DECISIONS FOR THE ENTIRE VILLAGE based on the thinking of a few. There are elected bodies in our village who have earned the right to do so. Please do come and visit the communidade Ashley, all your queries will be answered. It would be right to first ask, and only when everything is known, post the same on the net. with kind regards. Austin Da Gama Attorney of the Communidade of Saligao. On Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 8:59 AM, Ashley Delaney <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Budzer..., > > Isn't this strip outside the school Communidade land? What is Austy's > take on this? As the Attorney for the Communidade he is supposed to be Yesit is on communidade land. as i had mentioned before, Anil used to be the tenant of the land before it reverted back to the communidade. > the "protector" of Saligao Communidade lands. Why is he continuing to > give permission or NOC's to the people erecting these Gaddos. If > permission hasn't been granted has action been initiated against the > violators? Austy has given permission to the gaddo's. when i called him up to ask him why permission was given, inspite of the risks involved, logistial clases etc, austy differed with me saying 1) noone was making anything in the deal.. the commmuindade is geting a miserly sun of Rs 1850/- as rent per year from each gaddo 2) the land is given out to whoever asked the communidade for the space. he told me if i wnated ven i could ask for the space and permission would be given.. while i respect his answers.. i ahve some of my own questions actually 1) Why such a small sum of money as rent if at all rent? dont u know a small room tucked somewhere deep inside the vilage is 3000/- a month? 2) what is more relevant is that "if u ask, you get" supose someone asks the panchaet for seting up a gaddo in the middel of the rd, will they give? the answer is NO. we shd not bow to wims and fancies... okie don deprive the people of heir livelehood. but cant we shit them elewhere where it doesnt pose a risk? 3) it makes no sence why permissoin is given to build a permanant structue when the contract is only for 11 months. other places that i'm aware off, permission is always given ONLY for movevebale on wheels structures that can be wheeled away once the bussiness is over. why keep them people permission to build a permanant structure in a place, that is 1) already kept as provision for rd widening as a 10 meter rd from the existing 5 meter 2) why give it on a place where for the gram sabha a proposal was made to make this ame area into a footpath and nothing has been done? 3) why give it to an area where since it lies just 4 meters from a major intersection of two major district roads, it forms a major trafic risk 3) why give it in an area where visability from soem sides is blocked by the "aulla" where oncoming traffic cannot see the hazzard there? 4) why give it in an area where there is a proposal to make a trafic island also. wont this cause a hindurance to the rd widening than? 4) also for the life of me i cannot understand still how a permant sturcture came up when rd rules state that a permant structure CANNOT come up near the rd without maintaining the proper setbacks. has any setback been kept for the same??? while as a memebr of the communidade i am looking at its interests, i also see the interest of the villae which i think take a higher priority i rest my case.. Ashley -- Failure is not an option -- it comes bundled with Windows. Devine Computers Abreovaddo, Saligao, Bardez, Goa. Ph: 2409544 / 9823118321 Branch: Opp Municipality, Shetye resicom, Shop #3. Bicholim Ph: 9422448900 / 2361147 Looking for local information? Find it on Yahoo! Local --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
