Team Herald
MARGAO: With an aim to curb the recent cholera and dengue outbreak at fishing jetties in Cavelossim, the panchayat and villagers debated the vexatious issue at a lengthy extra-ordinary gram sabha and decided to join hands against the spread of the vector borne diseases.
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, while speaking to the media after the meeting, pointed out that they have agreed to fix a series of guidelines which the jetty owners based at Mobor, would have to strictly comply with.
These included sanitation, cleanliness, welfare and monitoring of labourers as well how certain operations at the jetty are conducted such as spray painting etc.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas who also participated in the meeting demanded the resignation of Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar for failing to take the necessary measures before this outbreak took place.
Viegas also slammed the government for failing to act in advance and questioned why they were only reacting now once the outbreak took place despite the fact that such activity has been going on for years and that there should have been some checks before like regarding the water quality or health check ups of labourers.
Viegas hit out at the police for not conducting a tenant verification and demanded that the health department massively step its testing process of the workforce at the jetty. The MLA also questioned if PWD and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had tested the water, given that cholera began from a water source.
Earlier during the meeting, there were a number of heated arguments about the latest developments.
However, there was consensus that these issues, including prevailing open defecation habits of the labour force, is severely tarnishing the reputation of the village that is dependent on tourism.
Sarpanch Vaz also pointed out that the panchayat had carried out six inspections recently and are actively monitoring the situation. He added that they are waiting for some results from the Health Department as well.
Vaz also stated that they will sit with the business operators of the jetties in Mobor to discuss guidelines the panchayat plans to enforce to see first what feedback they have. He however made it clear that if any of the operators at the jetties are found violating the rules, the panchayat will not hesitate to stop their activities.
Earlier, a panch added that the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) still had to decide on if the jetties had the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) permission despite directions being issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
A local resident who lives near the jetty also complained about how they are suffering from the sound and air pollution from the jetty, coming from the loud banging of the logs used to push the boats into the water or the open-air spray painting that is going on.
The villagers also felt the jetty was overusing the resources of the village like water supply and that dredging activity was affecting the local environment and natural conditions as well.
Other residents also alleged that there was some illegal jetty-related activity in the village besides the notified jetties.
‘Remove unauthorised vessels from jetty’
MARGAO: The Chairman of the Managing Committee of Cutbona jetty has issued a notice directing owners to remove unauthorized vessels from the jetty within seven days, warning of action if they fail to comply. This development comes against the backdrop of recent cholera and dengue outbreaks at Cutbona jetty, which have prompted a series of inspections and review meetings focused on the jetty's condition.
The notice aligns with demands made by Velim MLA Cruz Silva and the decision to increase the boat parking fee at the jetty from Rs 5,000 per month to Rs 1 lakh.
The directive, issued by the Directorate of Fisheries, states that fisheries officials have reported idle fishing vessels berthed at Cutbona jetty. The notice declares such unauthorized use of the jetty as “highly objectionable”.
The directive also states that no claims will be entertained in such a case.