TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Navelim gram sabha reverberated with anti-Mopa cries as villagers opposed the Request for Qualification (RFQ) floated by the Goa government to build an airport at Mopa.
The issued figured prominently at the Sunday gram sabha along with the contentious issue of special status, with members shouting a loud “no” to the Mopa airport. The members demanded that Dabolim should be retained as Goa’s lone international airport saying the airport can cater to the air traffic beyond 2045.
On the issue of special status, the gram sabha demanded that if the government is committed to grant special status for Goa, it should implement the existing laws and give special status for the State. Members recalled the promise made by BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar that he would work to get special status for Goa, if elected.
The garbage issue also figured prominently at the meeting with the discussions centred on the door-to-door waste collection. The Panchayat submitted details of the budget in this regard as a collection vehicle would visit houses to collect dry waste, while the house owner should compost the wet waste in his compound and multi-dwelling units are required to build composting units.
The issue of tenants became a hot topic as members pointed that they do not contribute to the revenue of the village.
Meanwhile, at the Telaulim gram sabha, the garbage issue dominated the meet. The locals were opposed to the proposed garbage dumping site, claiming that it would destroy the adjacent fields.
