MAPUSA: The Arambol gram sabha on Sunday witnessed heated exchanges over renting out premises to Nigerians by local, providing electric supply to an upcoming hotel project by Nano developers, free movement of Lamanis and handcart business by outsiders.
Tony Fernandes, an Arambol villager, complained that since the last ten years power problems of the villagers have remained unsolved. However, instead of solving their problems, he regretted that the government and the panchayat are ready to provide electric and water supply to Nano resorts.
He said that the hotel was getting special treatment, since it has paid Rs 23 lakh as infrastructure tax. The hotel should not get these amenities until and unless the requirements of locals are fulfilled, he said.
However, the sarpanch rejected the allegation that the hotel was getting special treatment and said, “This hotel project will be provided water and electricity supply only when proper arrangements of power supply is made. A new sub-station is planned and this hotel will be provided electricity only when the sub-station is inaugurated.”
The locals were concerned that the beggars were allowed to move freely on the beach and the Lamanis were allowed sell embroidered cloths and jewellary.
Addressing this concern, the sarpanch said that whenever the panchayat requested, the coastal police would stop the Lamanis from doing business on the beach for a week or so, but the Lamanis would return to the beach thereafter.
Following this disclosure, the villagers suggested that the police could extend their patrol upto 8 in the evening, instead of winding up the patrolling at 5 pm. This, the villagers said, would eliminate the opportunity for the Lamanis to do business on the beach, since they start their business the moment police wind up patrolling.
The “menacing” movement of Nigerians was also hotly debated at the meeting, wherein the people alleged that Nigerians have been following local girls on bikes and harassing them.
Subsequently, the gram sabha passed a resolution to write letters to all the authorities concerned to curb the Nigerian menace in the village.
It was also decided that the panchayat would set closing time for all the shops, hotels and shacks so that no tourist can move around in the village late night.
