In a resolution moved by Rudolf Barretto and seconded by Jose Rodrigues, the gram sabha on Sunday, directed the panchayat to issue conditional permission to erect mobile antennae/towers on trucks/vehicles so as not to inconvenience the delegates and also embarrass the State and the Central governments.
In a debate led by Rudolf Barretto, he asked the panchayat and the gram sabha to issue immediate clearance to BSNL, being a public sector undertaking.
The gram sabha also discussed to issue temporary permission to other operators as well since many of the visiting delegates will be having mobile connections other than BSNL.
The gram sabha was divided on the issue of setting up permanent towers. While one group was against the idea due to radiation concerns, another group was of the opinion that it was prudent to have more towers so as to address the problem of low connectivity.
Gram sabha member Nilesh Prabhudessai urged the villagers to consider the harmful effects of radiation caused due to low mobile signal.
There were heated discussion between him and another villager Neri Fernandes, who coincidentally is an Aam Aadmi Benaulim coordinator.
Barretto blamed the GSPCB for giving a lopsided presentation to the villagers on the subject, thereby increasing the apprehension of the people by not answering their queries satisfactorily.
He urged the panchayat to conduct a special gram sabha on the issue, inviting a faculty consisting of experts and specialists. He also urged the panchayat to ensure that all queries put forth by the villagers during and after their presentation be answered satisfactorily by the faculty. A request was also made to include radiologists and oncologists on the faculty.
It was finally decided to have a special meeting after giving due publicity to the villagers, date and time of which to be decided by the panchayat.
The issue of electricity and water connections given to a multi housing project sans occupancy certificate was hotly debated.
The sarpanch informed the villagers that the panchayat has already written to the Electricity and PWD Departments for clarification on the issue and that replies from both the departments were still awaited. The villagers accused the Panchayat and the government of colluding with the builders lobby.
Gram sabha member Rudolf Barretto wondered why only a particular builder was allowed to break the rules while the common man is made to run from pillar to post for minor deficiencies.
The gram sabha warned the panchayat against giving occupancy certificate to a project unless the public nullah which was filled up by the builder is restored to its original condition and in its original place.
The gram sabah also warned the panchayat that they would resist all attempts by the government to acquire alternate place for constructing the nullah to placate the builder and thus save the project.
The issue of issuing construction licecnce to a starred hotel in the CRZ area was also taken up for discussion. Gram sabha member Jose Rodrigues demanded to know from the panchayat how a fresh licence could be issued when the matter was sub-judice.
The sarpanch informed that the panchayat secretary issued the licence directly without a panchayat resolution, based on instructions issued by the Directorate of Panchayats. The panchayat was urged to bring to the notice of the High Court about this since they felt it amounted to contempt of Court.
On the issue of dumping of garbage in the village, gram sabha member Roque Fernandes congratulated the panchayat for getting the second place in entire Goa for collection of garbage. He urged the panchayat to spruce up the efforts so that it can be the No 1.
