Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Chicalim Panchayat on Sunday resolved in its Gramsabha meeting to oppose the water diversion from River Mhadei with Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav stating that the Mhadei River was the lifeline of Goa.
The gram sabha meeting also rocked om various other issues, including the sewerage system, with people demanding the setting up of a sewage pumping station.
Social activist Pratap Mardolkar said that the future of Goa was at stake if the water of the Mhadei River was diverted.
“We all have to unite and join hands to protect the Mhadei River because we have our sentiments attached to the Mhadei River. The other issue that I have been raising for the last ten years is about Sewerage that flows from the hillock to the houses located below, and we have demanded that there is good planning done and a sewage pumping station is set up,” said Mardolkar.
Capt Viriato Fernandes said that the major issue discussed in the gram sabha was the filing of the minutes that were changed.
“We had raised objections after some minutes were manipulated as per their needs, and we got it to the notice of the chair that these minutes had to be deleted as these are related to legal cases. We also had a discussion on the Mhadei River. We condemned the statement made by Home minister Amit Shah of Goa and the Karnataka Government jointly deciding on water diversion to Karnataka,” he said.
Fernandes said the people of North Goa, especially Sattari Taluka, will be finished if the water is diverted, and we have taken a resolution to oppose the diversion and DPR approval.
“We have also said that while we want a sewage treatment plant, it cannot be at any location wanted by the Panchayat because Chicalim is an ancient village with caves leading back thousand of years. We have asked the Panchayat to take the people in confidence before setting up the sewage treatment plant,” said Capt Fernandes.
Chicalim Parish Priest and social activist Fr Bolmax Pereira said that the Gram sabha was held longer as the minutes had to be changed.
“The style of writing minutes appeared as if the person writing the minutes had some vindictive intentions towards the Gram Sabha Members. The Sarpanch and secretary have to listen to the people and their needs, and we spent maximum time getting the minutes changed. Other points discussed were also about the development of the village and setting up of sewerage setting. We also asked for remedial measures to stop dirty water flowing in storm drains along with an inspection, and we also discussed the Mhadei river and finally resolved to oppose the Diversion of Mhadei water to Karnataka,” said Pereira.
Chicalim Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav said that the Mhadei River was the lifeline of Goa.
“The entire Goa is fighting for Mhadei, and we also need the water of Mhadei, and we resolved to oppose the diversions of the Mhadei water and we will send it to the Government soon. We also had issues with Sewerage because many people discharged the water from the soak pit into the gutters, and we have decided to send a proposal to the Government on the sewerage line. We have also explained to the people about the second phase of Joggers park,” said Yadav.
Comment