Nuvem cries foul over illegal bore wells
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, FEB 20
Gram sabha members of the Nuvem village Panchayat on Sunday cried foul over illegal bore wells and demanded a total stop to the activity on grounds that rampant exploitation of ground water for commercial purpose would affect the underground water table.
In fact, the illegal bore well issue dominated the proceedings with members questioning the Panchayat body over the activity at two places. When the Panchayat maintained that one of the bore well has the license from the concerned department, the gram sabha members said the license speaks of only one trip per day when the ground reality speaks otherwise.
During discussions, the Panchayat suggested to the gram sabha to deploy a local to keep a track on the number of trips at the bore well in question, but it was later agreed by the Panchayat to depute its own to maintain vigil at the spot.
Gram sabha members pointed out that the Panchayat should not entertain any more proposals for bore well, especially for commercial use, saying the activity would adversely affect the underground water table.
The construction of a steel yard also figured prominently at the Sunday gram sabha, with members demanding action against the yard for not complying with the provisions of law. They pointed out that the Panchayat had only granted temporary NOC for construction of a shed, but lamented that a pucca structure have come on the site.
After much discussion, it was resolved to revoke the NOC granted to the structure, with members asking the Panchayat to initiate necessary action.
Gram sabha member Gregorio Pereira told newsmen after the meeting that the members pointed out to the traffic congestion near the Nuvem-Arlem junction due to the presence of the traffic police close to the spot.
The members demanded that the police should station themselves at least a kilometer and half away from the junction to avoid traffic jams and accidents.
The gram sabha also deliberated on the question of a cooperative society (fair price shop) in Nuvem village, with members pointing out that villagers are forced to travel all the way to Majorda for the ration in the absence of a shop in the village.
On the occasion, noted environmentalist Clinton Vaz made a presentation on garbage collection and disposal.
