MARGAO: The issue of an illegal slum on a bandh, popularly known as ‘konkan railway’ slum since it looks like a train from a distance, led to heated discussion during the Gramsabha in Benaulim. The Panchayat had issued a demolition order but, according to a Panch, there was political interference from local MLA Churchill Alemao and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
The Gramsabha further resolved to conduct a joint inspection with the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Health Department and the Collector of the scrapyard in the village. Locals complained that plastic and rubber is being burnt inside the scrapyard.
After a discussion on the mobile towers in the village, it was also resolved to approach the Court over the illegal temporary mobile towers erected during BRICS summit more than three years ago. The Sarpanch informed that telecom companies are not paying any taxes to the Panchayat.
Further the Gramsabha demanded that the Occupancy Certificate not be issued to a builder for a project named ‘Alisha’ since the existing road is too narrow. A member informed that the permission for construction was given based on a proposed road. He requested the Panchayat members not to grant the occupancy certificate unless the actual road is widened to 8 meters.
The Panchayat informed that a proposal for constructing a cold storage for storage of local fish in the Brackish Water Development Agency (BFDA) property in Benaulim has been sent to the Fisheries Department.
