Dears, In Marathi there is a saying "Ati Ti'the Maathi" or ATM which means "Excess is disastrous". This saying aptly describes what the Real Estate "Brokers" [far from 'broke', they have fattened off the land and the cirrhosis affected livers of the "land sharks" do not yield anything comparable to the 'shark liver oil' of their marine namesakes] and the so called "Developers" [who, like photofilm lab technicians of yesteryears, "develop" under cover of darkness and subterfuge] are about to realise ...the hard way, of course.
First, it was the turn of the politicians to squirm and sweat in their Air-conditioned cabins and limousines. They are in the process of wiggling out with the help of a Masked force and need to be exposed and crushed underfoot. If the sauve and genteel politicians of today [who were power drunk just a couple of years ago] are able to slink away, like the drunks in a pub on the morning after the orgy, so will the brokers who made the land and its people broke in Goa. Rape of the land may be fun while it is on. Then comes the time for justice ...and retribution. Their time starts now! Vox Populi. Vox Dei. The Constitution of India enshrines it for all who are proud to say "We, the People of India " The Governement of Goa has given this right only to the people in the villages vide Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. It is time for the people living in the towns and so-called cities in Goa to ask for an amendment to ... or replacement of ... the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968. It is out-dated after the 74th Amendmant of 1992. Even in towns, the slogan of the "SAVE GOA Campaign" [before the Hindi translation "Goa Bachao Abhiyan" overwhelmed it through the media, even in a State that claims that Konkani is its "Official Language"] holds good: "DEVELOPMENT, YES ...BUT NOT THIS MESS!" The sticker of December, 2006, still adorns my vehicles, where ever they go. Hum hain naye, andaz kyon hain purane? We are new, why are our assessments of the situation ancient? Let us have a post-1992 law for all of Goa, including the urban areas so that the "urbanized" middle class can join the villagers in saying "WE, the People of India, do solemnly resolve ...." just as the villagers do at the Gram Sabha meetings.People .... empowered by law, knowledge and technical support ... are the best judges of what development they need in each locality. The "developers" can then build the houses and buildings that are agreed on ... to meet the local needs. Even if you are not from the coastal villages of Salcete, you are welcome to Dando-Benaulim. Let us show the unscruplous "developers" the dando! Behave, or you will get hit where it hurts ...in your purse and bank account! Mog asundi. Miguel TOI, Panjim, 12 April 2008 Anti-realty fire spreads across villages MARGAO: Even as the Benaulim gram sabha adopted two resolutions on Sunday demanding revocation of construction licenses of two building projects, the agitation against mega projects appeared to be spreading across the coastal belt. It what seemed to be the first indication of a mass movement gaining momentum, villagers of Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Majorda, Betalbatim, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim and surrounding villages have decided to hold a joint meeting at Dando grounds, Benaulim, at 5 pm on May 12. The objective is to create awareness among villagers about the problems that may arise because of mega projects, said the Benaulim Villagers Action Committee. Representatives of all these villages as well as prominent citizens of Goa will address the meet. The course of action against mega projects, including big housing complexes, will be decided at the meeting. Earlier in the day, with a strong of posse of policemen surrounding the panchayat building to prevent any law and order situation, residents of Benaulim exposed various deeds of alleged omission and commission by elected representatives while granting licenses to a number of construction projects. After a lengthy discussion, some 600 villagers who attended the gram sabha meeting adopted two separate resolutions demanding revocation of construction licenses of two building projects. Alleging that there were many irregularities in the two projects—lack of requisite setbacks, insufficient garbage disposal measures, inadequate parking arrangements—the villagers even demanded initiation of demolition proceedings against a project at Komlam Tollem. The other resolution pertained to the construction of a multistoried building by a local builder. The project invited the ire of the villagers for the failure of the panchayat and the builder in protecting the mundcarial rights of tenants. The sarpanch and panchayat members faced a barrage of questions on the alleged irregularities. Interestingly, in both cases, it was the panchayat members who, bowing to the wishes of the people, proposed the resolutions. Voicing apprehensions over the influx of migrant population and the pressure the construction projects will exert on the existing inadequate infrastructure in Benaulim, the villagers demanded transparency in all the dealings of the panchayat. "Considering the rapid pace of construction in Benaulim, it won't take much time for this village to turn into a mega city. Ugly concrete structures have come up in place of once lush green fields and playgrounds. How many locals can afford to buy an apartment in one of these buildings? What sense does it make to play host to the outsiders at the cost of our identity?" said Michael Rodrigues, a resident. -- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. ------------------------------------ VascokarsUnited for a plastic-free Vasco. 26th Jan 2006,a day in the history of Vasco health. VASCO LETS GO GREEN http://www.vinsanworld.com/letsgogreen/index.htmYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VascokarsUnited/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VascokarsUnited/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
