OLD GOA: The issue of numerous controversial activities going on near the Merces-Santa Cruz highway junction dominated the Merces gram sabha on Sunday with the villagers demanding that the panchayat authorities strive for demolition of all the illegal businesses.
Speaking on the issue, villagers said a restaurant, a steel yard, a washing centre and several other illegal businesses are run without any license from the panchayat or any other authorities concerned.
“This shows that the persons running these businesses do not care for the laws of the land,” a villager opined and sought to know what action the panchayat has initiated to stop such illegal activities.
The villagers also brought to the notice that a septic tank was constructed in close vicinity of the water pipeline which is supplying water to Merces and Santa Cruz villages, and expressed concern over contamination of the same.
Sarpanch Assis Fernandes said as for the restaurant, the panchayat has already revoked the license issued by the panchayat and has sent copies of it to the Director of Food & Drugs Administration and Labour Inspector of Shops & Establishment.
“The said party has appealed with the Additional Director of Panchayats-II against the panchayat’s order of revoking licence. We have also received letters from Labour & Employment commissioner and the Director of Food & Drugs Administration,” D’Souza said and added that the panchayat will initiate further action in the matter.
“As for the steel yard, the panchayat will conduct an inspection and take stern action in the matter as earlier too the panchayat had issued show-cause notice in the matter and the yard was closed down,” D’Souza said.
The panchayat authorities also decided to call on the PWD executive engineer, on Monday, along with a delegation of villagers to highlight the danger of water contamination posed by the construction of septic tank near the water pipeline.
The issue of a mega project at Kumbharvaddy-Merces was also discussed at length with the villagers demanding that the panchayat should not allow such mega projects in the village as these would prove detrimental in the future as the village itself is facing problems in terms of garbage treatment, water, electricity and other facilities.
With the 100th birth anniversary of father of the Opinion Poll late Dr Jack de Sequeira fast approaching on April 20 this year, Sebastiao Fernandes said the panchayat should install a statue of the leader in the village.
“We have identified three sites and the panchayat can decide which one is the most suitable, after inspection,” Fernandes said and urged the authorities to complete the formalities before April 20.
Later, the panchayat approved the budget estimates of Rs 59,92,000 for 2015-16. However, as the villagers were unhappy as they were not given enough time to study the budget, the panchayat authorities allowed them a week’s time to give their inputs.
