*Gram Sabha in Saligao.*
Gram Sabha (GS) started at 10:30 with an attendance of over 100 persons.
Electricity problems were discussed and it was resolved to call the JE
to attend the next gram sabha; and also write letters to the electricity
dept about the problems faced. As no VP member could give details on
what development works were being done in their wards, a resolution was
taken asking each ward member to visit their wards and report the
development works being undertaken in their wards for the next GS.
*The Garbage dumping on the Saligao hill above the Salmona spring which
has been going on for over 25 years. *
An affected resident, Sitaram Mahale said "This is causing a very foul
smell in the village and in Salmona the area were he and other residents
lived, they could not even sit to eat because it was so overpowering!",
The rotting garbage could also cause major health and other problems.
The garbage dumped in the wide and deep quarry on the hill has already
polluted the Salmona spring and wells in the village. The following
resolutions were adopted unanimously by the GS.
1.
*Immediate stop to garbage dumping at the present site.*
2.
*Immediate shifting of the dump, 2 km west or south-west of the
present site so that Saligao is not affected.*
3.
*Immediate implementing of the High Court order dtd. 30 July 2003.*
4.
*Restoring of site to its original condition.*
5.
*Govt. to immediately choose site for garbage treatment plant for
north Goa, according to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000.*
Dean D'Cruz also suggested writing to the Local MLA, ex MLA and the
Courts informing them of the issue and asking them to take it up.
Maurice Britto, another local resident, said it was highly imperative
that this was taken up as soon as possible, and suggested negotiating
with the village panchayats of Calangute and Mapusa who were responsible
for the dumping. It was also suggested to display a notice at the
premises that the water was unsafe for human consumption.
Ashley Delaney then raised the issue of the illegal mud dumping from the
demolished market complex in the paddy fields right in front of the
church. He pointed out that it was without any permissions from the
Communidade, the rightful owners of the land and requested the panchayat
to take action immediately.
Eknath Oraskar, a village panchayat (VP) member informed the gathering
that this would be done by the contractor after the laying of the plinth
level, but he was asked by the body to send notices to the contractor
for the same.
Fredrick Noronha also raised the issue of the market complex not having
a library for the village, the VP assured that this would be taken up in
the next stage of planning for the market complex. Noronha also
requested the panchayat to write to the Dept of Transport asking for
buses along the CHOGM route to Panjim, as this would solve the plight of
many regular commuters to Panjim. The bus could originate from either
Mapusa, or Calangute via Porvorim he pointed out.
Ramesh, another resident, brought it to the notice of the gathering that
buses were making unscheduled stops at the Saligao junction to allow
passengers to alight and suggested that a policeman could be posted to
direct traffic and stop the same.
The VP agreed to write and ask for this. Britto and other residents also
asked the VP to pass a resolution to relocate the gaddos from the
junction to the market complex once it was commissioned. They pointed
out that recently there had been a spate of accidents in the area and
people had been seriously injured and had even lost their lives. They
also suggested cleaning of the bus stops.
Austy Fernandes than suggested that since there were so many works to be
done, a development commitee which was in place should make
sub-committees to carry out these works. The VP appeared ignorant about
the same and asked for members to volunteer for sub committees first. A
commotion than arose with the assembly accusing the panchayat of not
knowing if the committee existed or who was in it.
Delaney then informed the gathering that he had an RTI - just a month
old - stating that the committee existed only on paper with all the VP
members on it.
There were also no meetings being held ever since inception as per the
RTI, he informed.
The VP appeared ignorant about the same and asked Delaney to show the
RTI to the gathering at which the GS then shouted down the VP who were
asked to reconstitute and form a new committee on the spot to take the
village matters forward.
15 residents gave their names immediately with enough representation
from all parts of the village along with female representation. A
meeting date was decided on the spot as all members present could decide
the date and keep themselves free.
A thunderous applause was given to the panchayat for allowing the GS to
participate in planning matters. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks
from Oraskar and concluded at 12.00PM
--
Kind regards
Ashley Delaney
Group TenPlus
Keep Goa E-waste free!! contact us now to know what YOU can do!
www.grouptenplus.com
Abreovaddo, Saligao, Bardez, Goa.
Ph: 9823118321 / 9325064278
--
Kind regards
Ashley Delaney
Keep goa Ewaste free - contact us now to know what YOU can do.
www.grouptenplus.com/computers.html
Devine Computers
Abreovaddo, Saligao, Bardez, Goa.
Ph: 9372240620 / 9823118321
Branch: Opp Municipality, Shetye resicom, Shop #3. Bicholim
Ph: 9422448900 / 2361147
--
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