Mysterious moves
at Malim
This is reference to reports published in O Heraldo edition dated April 19, during a special meeting of the Penha de Franca panchayat on April 13, the people strongly objected to a jetty project at Malim, sanctioned to a Mumbai-based company.
The Rs 8-crore project was issued an NOC through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) portal for the construction of jetties or terminals. The company claims that there would be 14 or 15 floating pontoons for yachts. The Captain of Ports denied issuing any NOC for the project. The company’s representative in Goa admitted that the proposed site is opposite the run-down Tourism Department premises, beneath the Mandovi Bridge and is not for a marina. The Tourism Minister claims to have learnt about the project through the media. Finally, there is a board on the site proclaiming it to be a private property.
There seems to be so many twists and turns and undercurrents in the mysterious affair, then in the Mandovi River! Only when something concrete comes up would the people know as to whether the project is for a marina, pontoons, resort, house, apartments or may be a land casino. Hopefully, the authorities would crack the mystery, if they are interested to get to the bottom of the truth.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Abandoned vehicles
South Goa District Magistrate, Egna Cleetus, has issued a proclamation to dispose of around 115 abandoned/unclaimed vehicles in Margao and Vasco via auction, should the owners fail to submit their claims.
These vehicles are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which cause a rise in vector-borne diseases, leading to health hazards for the general public. The abandoned vehicles within the jurisdiction of Margao are causing obstruction, inconvenience, and potential hazards to the public.
I welcome the same as a good move (should it be implemented effectively), but I wonder why this is not covering the villages as well?
In Colva, for instance there are numerous abandoned vehicles including (at least one commercial vehicle) within just a few metres of Colva Village Panchayat (near the wall of a Government Primary School and very close to Infant Jesus School!) Is this not a health hazard to the school students (as breeding ground for mosquitoes) particularly now with the monsoon’s approaching!
I hope the relevant authorities address this menace sooner rather than later; in the villages as well!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Decline in cashew production
Summer is synonymous with the cashew season in Goa. The cashew season is packed with the summer extract of niro, urrack and one of the strongest drinks, feni. This crop provides livelihood to many Goans who survive on just the produce till the next season. With irrigation, the plantation can give up to 30 percent higher yield. However, over the years there has been a steady decline in the production of this summer fruit for various reasons. This year one can hardly find any cashew apples being sold in the market. However the markets are flooded with bottles of niro which is the first distillate of the cashew fruit. This makes one wonder whether this drink enjoyed by Goans is really made from cashew apple or is a flavoured drink. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) which has of late been conducting raids on several eateries and other manufacturing units needs to investigate how the drink sold in the market as ‘niro’ is being produced. Be that as it may.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents wherein cashew plantations have been destroyed in fire. Since Goa’s cashew production is far below the national average, it is learnt that the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) will take up rejuvenation of nearly 1,780 hectares of cashew plantation in the coming three years which is the need of the hour.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco