l Call for special gram sabha on June 1
TEAM HERALD
OLD GOA: Stating that they will oppose tooth and nail any moves to declare the land for Bainguinim waste plant as an industrial zone, the villagers of Old Goa have resolved to up the ante against the project in the coming days.
At the gram sabha on Sunday, the villagers further resolved to call for a special gram sabha on June 1 to discuss on the issue and chalk out further strategy against the project.
Speaking at the gram sabha, Fr Visitacao Monteiro highlighted that the authorities concerned themselves are not willing to give assurance on the complete success of the project, due to which doubts linger in the minds of the people.
“This is the exact reason why we are opposing the project. Further, all waste plants set up in Goa have failed miserably, which is another reason why there is need to oppose any move to set up waste plant in Old Goa, a place of heritage and historical importance,” Fr Monteiro reiterated.
“When a village delegation had met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, he had assured that first the government will start the Saligao waste plant and depending on its success, only then will go ahead with the Bainguinim waste plant,” Fr Monteiro informed while raising apprehension that it now appears to be exactly the opposite.
Supporting the opposition to the Bainguinim waste project, former councillor of Mormugao Municipal Council Gandhi Henriques highlighted how the waste plant set up by the council has failed miserably despite the best of assurance given to the contrary.
“The same fate is likely to be met in the case of Bainguinim waste plant and hence it is important that the villagers gather in large numbers to voice their opposition,” Henriques further suggested and stated that a committee has to be first formed to garner public support to the cause.
Some villagers also suggested that Old Goa Panchayat should also take the help of neighbouring panchayats to oppose the waste plant as they felt that it would give them legal leverage.
“In Orissa, 9 panchayats had resolved against moves to start mining in the area, due to which the SC ruled in their favour,” a villager stated while opining that opposition from neighbouring villages will help the Old Goa Panchayat in its legal battle against the project.
