MARGAO: Colva panch Menino Fernandes has criticised activist Judith Almeida for filing a complaint against alleged illegal food stalls at the Colva fair.
He also slammed the activist for not filing any complaint against the garment stalls allegedly operating illegally at the fair.
“Last year Judith had filed a complaint against all the stalls. This time she took action against the food stalls but she did not complain against the other stalls”, he said and accused the activist of accepting money from the person, who has taken the tender.
“This time she is a partner of the one who has taken the tender”, he alleged and questioned why she did not complain to the panchayat and Pollution Control Board.
When asked as to what action the panchayat has taken against the illegal stalls in the fair, he said, “I already complained to the Collector regarding the traffic jam due to the encroachment of stalls on the road. We (panchayat) have not given any permission or NOC for the stalls. I spent money to clean the nullah that is used by the stall operators to defecate,” he claimed.
“I have taken the resolution against the stalls. But the sarpanch has given the tender for the stalls”, he said and alleged that the Sarpanch is not acting against the illegal stalls.
“Judith has only complained on one issue. There are two-three stalls that are at the fair selling clothes. She has failed to question them as to where they bathe. Last time, she complained but this time since her colleague Martin Cardozo has taken a stall, she has not complained,” the panch alleged.
When asked why the panchayat has not acted against the illegal stalls, he said that he has written to the MLA and Collector against the illegalities.
When contacted for her reaction to the allegations made by the Colva Panch, Judith said she is only answerable to her forum and her conscience. “If a petty-minded panch is unaware of his job description and measures available to him to remove illegalities, he should resign and sit at home. I am not associated with anyone running the stall and if anyone is doing anything illegal, the panchayat has to act. I live and sustain myself on my hard-earned savings and I do the best I can within my limited resources. I have filed several complaints, which I take to their logical conclusion. Although I don’t expect the panch to appreciate my work, I also do not expect him to assume that an ordinary citizen like me should be doing his job of removing illegalities”, she said.
