VASCO: Citing various reasons the Gram Sabha of Cansaulim-Arossim- Cuelim (CAC) panchayat on Sunday unanimously resolved that all plans to increase coal handling, storage or transportation of coal in or through Goa must be dropped completely, and all ongoing coal handling in the State must also be stopped. The gram sabha also unanimously passed a resolution to oppose river nationalization project in state.
Participating in the discussion on coal, Sarpanch Marta Saldanha informed the gram sabha members that even the panchayat body was against coal handling in Goa as the same leads to pollution. She said that since the panchayat in past has already resolved to oppose the proposed doubling of railway track passing CAC village, the decision to oppose coal and river nationalization project is also welcomed by the panchayat body.
“In our panchayat meeting we had already said that coal as well as river nationalisation project is bad for the State as the ecology of the State will be lost. We are now working hard to stop all these. However, we don’t know how far the State government will help us in this as they only do lip service. We have seen how despite people’s objection the Konkan railway project became a reality. This shows that government is doing what it wants. Are they (government) taking people for granted? I demand that government should come out with some sort of clarification/solutions as people across Goa are opposing coal and river nationalization project. As far as CAC village is concerned we will not accept coal this side at any cost,” Saldanha told to reporters after the gram sabha.
