VASCO: Sancoale villagers have unanimously resolved to oppose the government’s decision to shift casinos to the Zuari River. While adopting the resolution at the gram sabha on Sunday, they cited adverse effects that the casinos would have on their village.
Placing the issue before the villagers, Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar informed that the panchayat, in its meeting on August 24, had already resolved to oppose the shifting and had sent a copy of resolution to the home department additional secretary for action. He further said, “We strongly believe that the casinos will release sewage and garbage directly into the river, polluting it and destroying the river’s biodiversity. It will also pose a serious threat to the livelihood of local fishermen; different forms of fauna, including fish, shrimps, and shellfish will be killed.”
He continued, “Additionally, the movement of casino feeder boats will disrupt fishing activities and be a burden on the existing infrastructure, which needs attention. What worries us more is the social impact of gambling in our neighbourhood. Therefore, considering such facts, we all should unite and support the opposition to casinos in our neighbourhood.”
As they had done to the marina project at Sancoale bay, the villagers extended their support on the casino issue and a resolution to oppose the shifting was unanimously passed. Borkar further said, “Although the government announced that casinos won’t be shifted till 2016, the villagers’ resolution is important to prove that we don’t want casinos. If the government still goes ahead with this proposal, we are ready to even block the NH-17 road at Cortalim, besides take up other forms of protest.”
The villagers also demanded 30 percent reservation for locals in the flats built by Goa Housing Board (GHB) at Upasnagar. They opined that GHB had built several flats in Sancoale, but very few locals benefited from the same. They resolved to write to GHB to ensure that 30 percent of the flats in the new building be reserved for locals, and the panchayat should be given power to accept applications from locals who intended to purchase the reserved flats. Subsequently, GHB could allot the same through lots.
Standing committees and sub-committees were formed to look after issues and developmental projects in the village.
The gram sabha members also formed standing committees and sub-committees. Each committee has five members to look after issues and developmental projects in the village.
The garbage menace and panchayat’s failure to lift garbage in the village was also brought up. Borkar assured the villagers that he would start lifting garbage within a week, and that he would try to make Sancoale garbage-free within a few months.
The cleaning and beautification of village parks and the pending developmental projects in the village were also discussed.
