Team Herald
MARGAO: Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday chided the government for acquiring people’s land including their ancestral houses for a project that will only help import coal through Goa.
AAP Convener Elvis Gomes displayed land acquisition notices issued by the Deputy Collector to the residents of Cansaulim and surrounding areas.
He said, “The notices are to acquire land for double tracking of the railway line which earlier the railways had said would have double tracks only up to Majorda and not beyond that, but now there is double tracking proposed right up to Vasco.”
AAP leader Sidharth Karapurkar pointed out that a study in Vasco had revealed that thousands of people were afflicted with sickness of lung and wondered whether the government wanted to kill the entire Goan populace by assisting the Railways.
“Alina Saldhana is not even a shadow of her spouse Matanhy. She is powerless in her own party. Otherwise how is the government not resisting the Railways’ move that will bring down the houses and cause immense damage to the health of the people?” asked Sidharth.
COMPLAINT FOR
CUTTING TREES
Meanwhile in an interesting development AAP has lodged a complaint with the police against all the councillors of Quepem Municipal Council against cutting of trees and accused them of stealing timber.
AAP has asked for an FIR to be registered and a cognizable offence be registered against the councillors under the prevalent criminal laws. Patricia Fernandes, who has lodged the complaint with the police, also informed that a complaint has been lodged with the Forest Department.
In her complaint, she has alleged that some councillors are involved in pilfering the cut timber and selling it.
While pointing out that around 200 trees were cut which would produce quite a bit of timber, she urged that the role of all 11 councillors be probed.
While disclosing that the matter will also be raised before the National Green Tribunal, Patricia admitted that police investigations will help in naming the culprits before the NGT.
