Team Herald
PERNEM: Morjim Panchayat in collaboration with Vidya Prabhudini High School, Peter Alvares High School of Morjim and the villagers held a peaceful candlelight march against noise pollution, at Morjim, on Wednesday.
Sarpanch Vaishali Shetgaonkar and panchas Pavan Morje, Amit Shetgaonkar, Uday Gadekar along with hundreds of students and villagers among them senior citizens began the candlelight march from Gaudewada, Morjim and concluded at Ashvem.
Sarpanch Vaishali said, “Loud music played for the ‘parties’ is a major issue faced here. This time the students approached the panchayat complaining that they are facing difficulty in studying with the noise pollution. Even after several requests and complaints made, they have remained unheard. When the music is played loudly, the whole of Morjim vibrates. Now no compromise will be made over this issue.”
“With this candlelight march we want to send message to every organiser and authorities that this will not be tolerated anymore and the panchayat along with villagers will take all the necessary steps to stop the noise pollution,” Vaishali said.
Panch Gadekar said, “We are against the loud music played during the night parties. Eight days back we submitted a memorandum to the Police, Deputy Collector and Chief Minister. However, no action was taken. We informed that the students’ preliminary examinations are going on but the authorities did not even bother to take action.”
“It’s nowhere mentioned in the No Objection Certificate that loud music are allowed in late night parties. However, if they do not stop now than next time when they approach the panchayat for renewal of licences, their licences will not be renewed. Authorities should check students result of last 10 years and compare with the present one and see the effect of these loud music parties. There is no use of such tourism if it effects the students, senior citizens and the locals,” panch Morje said.
A senior citizen said, “Senior citizens are facing difficulty due to this issue. Senior citizens, especially the sick ones, struggle the most. The locals further criticised the local MLA Dayanand Sopte, who is also the chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, and alleged that all the authorities including Chief Minister is involved in these illegal activities.
President of Taxi Owners Association, Morjim Sanjay Kole blamed the local MLA and held him responsible for the issue.
“It’s the local MLA who also handles the tourism sector responsible for these parties. These illegal parties are being carried out with the blessing of MLA. If the students fail in their exams than MLA will be held responsible for it.”
