Pilgao panchas threaten stir against illegal hill cutting
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BICHOLIM, JUNE 11
Panch members from Pilgao panchayat have threatened an agitation against illegal hill cutting and a dumping site at Vingdawadi-Pilgao, if government authorities fail to take action in the issue.
Speaking to Herald, former panch Ajay Gaonkar stated that a mining company has been constructing a road since the last four months at Vingadwadi-Pilgao.
“The work is going on since the last four months and the company has violated all rules. They have felled all trees in the area and the land is now used as a dumping ground. They have also dumped rejects on both sides of the road,” Gaonkar said.
“The mining company is creating havoc in the area and the panchayat does not have any control over its activities,” he added.
Some panch members had earlier urged the deputy collector to look into the matter but there was no action in the matter.
“We sent a memorandum to authorities, but nothing has happened. They did not even come to inspect the site. The illegal dumping site is in the ward of the sarpanch but she is trying to cover up the issue,” complained Panch Mahadev Vengurlekar.
“The panchayat has not given any NOC for the construction of the road or the dumping site. We will launch an agitation if authorities continue with their behaviour,” warned Vengurlekar.
When contacted, Pilgao Sarpanch Sangeeta Dhatkar confirmed that they did not give any NOC to the company.
“We had sent a letter to the company to seek NOC before any new activity in the panchayat but they did not respond to the same. Last year, we had written to the deputy collector and the process is in going on,” said Dhatkar.
When asked about the recent activity, Dhatkar initially tried to beat round the bush and claimed that the company has stopped dumping rejects in the area after a letter was given to them.
But when it was brought to her notice that there were fresh tyre marks on the road, Dhatkar changed her mind.
”Just two days back we have written to the deputy collector and he will look into the matter,” Dhatkar added.
