Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Even as the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant continues his rhetoric on Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goem at every press conference and government function, the State authorities do not seem to be in sync with the CMs idea.
An incident at Chicalim, which witnessed tense moments on Thursday morning, puts a huge question mark on Swayampurna Goem as stalls set up by self help groups selling home made products were removed for not having Panchayat NOC.
The incident shocked the stall owners as the Panchayat secretary arrived at the site to clear the stalls set along the Highway. He was accompanied by Vasco police.
Former Chicalim Sarpanch Seby Pereira and Congress leader Capt Viriato Fernandes arrived at the site to convince the secretary to allow the stalls to function ahead of the Diwali festival, especially since the SHGs had written to the panchayat for permission.
Seby Periera said that CM had taken the initiative for Swayampurna Mitra and Swayampurna Goa to help self-help groups, but the reality was different.
“This now becomes dadagiri because the Sarpanch had verbally allowed the vendors to set up stalls because these stalls are set here every year. The self-help groups have even written a letter to the panchayat, and suddenly we have the secretary and the police at the site to clear the stalls after they have been set up,” he said.
He stated that SHGs have spent the money and got products ready, and now who will pay for their losses. “The Navy cannot have objection for activity here because this area is the setback for the Highway, and we don’t know why the panchayat is now going against these self-help groups,” said Pereira.
Chicalim Panchayat secretary Amrit Sankhwalkar said that he had advised the SHGs not to set up stalls before the Panchayat NOC.
“They have inwarded a letter and also met me, and I had told them that I will place the file before the body meeting tomorrow and we can then take a call, but the SHGs have already erected a pandal and set up stalls without any intimation or permission,” he said.
He said the Navy has also objected to the pandal because the area is on the road leading to their premises, and the people are also questioning us and asking us how stalls have been set up along the busy road and who will be responsible for any accidents.
“I have now requested them to clear the area and set up the stalls again if the panchayat gives them permission when their request is placed for a body meeting,” said Sankhwalkar.
Meanwhile, Capt Viriato Fernandes said that the secretary must allow the self-help groups in the interim period till the letter is placed in the panchayat meeting.
“Swayampurna Goa was an initiative the CM took to promote Self-employment for people and women under self-help groups. This temporary sale during the festival helps them earn money and sometimes pay fees or instalments etc,” he said.
Capt Viriato said they requested that the secretary allow them to function temporarily, and they can give them formal approval after the panchayat body meeting.
“The people have already invested in the pandal and making the products, and it is not right to keep them waiting till the last moment because people will go to other places. They must be allowed on humanitarian grounds,” said Capt Viriato Fernandes
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