Figueiredo who is also the ward panch said this after his comments were sought as to why he had issued the ‘willingness letter’ to the promoter although such a letter did not find any place in the Panchayati Raj Act. “I organised a meeting with the villagers who said that they supported the project. It was only then that I issued the letter,” Figueiredo said.
Asked why he had remained silent when there was reclamation and cutting of mangroves, the sarpanch said the reclamation was done when the gas pipeline was being laid and that the mangrove were chopped by the local villagers for firewood.
He also said that he was not aware as to when the replica of Bom Jesus Basilica was brought to the site.
