Goemakrponn desk
QUEPEM: The villagers of Avedem-Cotombi gathered in large numbers to oppose the TCP permission for the expansion of Adinco Distillery, which they said would destroy the environment.
The villagers took a morcha to the TCP office Quepem regarding the same.
They said thet Panchayat bypassed the laws to permit the expansion of the factory.
Villagers residing in the locality and surrounding areas said they felt cheated by the act of clearance given to Adinco Distillery for further expansion.
“Villagers stand united to oppose the act of clearance and want an answer from the concerned officials involved in the declaration of industrial zone bearing survey no 23/16,” they said.
The villagers also noticed that the village road is proposed as 10 mts road heading to the factory from the main road from Paroda Bridge.
Villagers also opposed the proposal of road widening, which is presently six mts.
People have also shown concern about the entry of heavily loaded trucks in the village heading to the factory and plying over the Paroda Bridge, which is presently restricted for heavy vehicles.
At the meeting called by the villagers, Franky Paroda a Marine Engineer by profession, highlighted the consequences of the declaration of the industrial zone and the widening of the existing road.
He also urged the people to be united in opposing the same and attending the coming Gram Sabha meeting.
He also gave the example of the Melaulim villagers how they opposed the IIT in their village.
He also mentioned that some people refused to sign and stand by the villagers for their personal gains.
Mr Silvano D’Cunha condemned the power load-shedding in the village. He also mentioned that this activity takes place without the consent of the village panchayat.
Avedem panchayat sarpanch Alleuia Alphonso mentioned to the people that till he is there on the seat as a sarpanch, he will not give any clearance from the Panchayat side.
He also acknowledged the youth taking initiatives against illegalities in the village.
In the year 2009, villagers of Avedem- Cotombi, Quepem Taluka, submitted an objection letter with signatures regarding the draft of the Regional Plan 2021.
The following areas were proposed:
Survey No. 22/16, which is partly zoned as industrial, was asked to be declared fully as an Industrial Zone to expand the existing factory.
Survey No.23/3 should be zoned as industrial since it is adjacent to the existing factory, facilitating the expansion programme.
Survey No. 21/1 should be zoned as a settlement to promote Industrial Housing.
The above points were discussed during the Gram Sabha meeting, and the proposal of Adinco Distillery by Alleluia Diniz was unanimously rejected, and it was decided to forward the same to the Taluka level committee.
Inspite of this objection, the area bearing survey No 22/16 is declared fully as an Industrial zone, and the TCP has given technical clearance to proceed with the expansion of the existing factory.
All the villagers questioned the TCP official in Deputy CM and MLA Shri Babu Kavlekar in his office in Quepem regarding the same, but the TCP said that he had given the technical clearance based on the declaration of the industrial zone bearing survey no 22/16.
TCP official at Quepem also mentioned to the villagers that he doesn’t require any pollution certificate and Sanad to give the technical clearance to the factory.
This factory is surrounded by a nullah following into the river Kushawatti which is approximately 500mts from the factory. There is also a pond situated on the southern side of the factory.
