Paul Carvalho
CURCHOREM: The stray cattle menace surfaced once again in Curchorem market which was earlier tackled by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. Cabral had used government vehicles to impound the stray cattle from the roads in the State.
In 2014, Cabral had taken the initiative after Herald highlighted the issue and lifted 132 stray cattle from Curchorem constituency and had placed them at a farm of the Animal Husbandry department. But after few months the cattle started moving again on the roads but due to hue and cry of the people the authorities acted and the menace was brought under control.
For the last two years, with the exception of two or three strays in the market area, the cattle on the street were not to be seen. But now once again the menace has resurfaced and the herd of the cattle is seen at many places on the roads in Curchorem constituency obstructing not only motorists but pedestrians as well and the authorities are doing nothing, said one resident.
Criticising the authorities for their callous attitude and for not acting, former CCMC councillor from Khamamoll ward Manohar Naik said that municipal authorities are least bothered about the difficulties faced by the people. “Maximum councillors are totally depended on local MLA for all their decisions. They are not functioning as autonomous body but acting like puppets,” said Naik and urged the authorities to act independently and to take precautions to avoid accidents by curbing the cattle menace on roads before it is too late.
Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council Chairperson Felix Fernandes admitted the situation of cattle menace and assured to find a permanent solution to tackle the situation including hiring the services of a NGO.
Sources informed that impounding work cannot be taken on regular basis as only one pond keeper with one labourer is at present doing the impounding work and that the only labourer also not available as and when required as his services are also used to collect the garbage.
“The municipal shed for the cattle exists behind the municipality building in the residential area and it becomes difficult to keep them in the shed as in most cases their owners are not claiming them,” said the source under condition of anonymity.
The Deputy Collector of Quepem, Rohit Kadam, who is also holding additional charge of CCMC chief officer, said that he has taken additional charge recently and therefore he needs time to study the matter and act accordingly.
“I will direct the concerned authorities to lift them if found on public roads and take necessary action,” said Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral appealing the owners to take care of their cattle and not leave them on roads as it can cause problems to motorists and pedestrians and may lead to fatal accidents.
