MARGAO: Major furore erupted in Salcete after villagers across panchayats in the constituency learned that the Block Development Officer had sent letters to 18 panchayats asking them to hold special gram sabhas to discuss towers in residential areas on September 11.
It may be recalled that several gram sabhas in Salcete have taken a strong view against the setting up of mobile towers in residential areas and have passed resolutions against towers that have been erected. The panchayats bodies have also ratified these resolutions at their respective meetings.
Locals decried the move of the government through the BDO and claimed that it showed that the higher authorities are trying to change the decisions of the gram sabhas and panchayat bodies.
Locals also pointed out that the directions make no sense, as under the Panchyat Raj Act the local bodies are empowered to take decisions in the interest of the village and in this case, the decisions have been taken by the people of these villages through their respective gram sabhas.
Irked villagers have now decided to submit signature petitions against the towers and present it at the September 11 gram sabha meetings. Locals also said that some villages had already submitted signature petitions to their respective panchayats.
