ALVARO COLACO
CORTALIM
In what could be a major setback to farming in Manxer-Cortalim, around 250 farmers risk losing their produce if efforts are not made to stop the release of saline water into the fields.
According to former Cortalim sarpanch Antonio Vaz, who represents the farmers and who is also a member of the newly-formed adhoc committee of the Cortalim Comunidade Tenants’ Association, the sluice gates have to be replaced immediately or if not the paddy crops would be destroyed by the saline water.
“I have been pursuing the matter with the authorities to replace the old sluice gates. The Soil Conservation Department has prepared an estimate of Rs 1,12,000 to repair the gates. But then, who will spend the amount,” asked Vaz, adding that he had earlier spent his money to maintain the gates.
Cortalim Comunidade Attorney John Philip Pereira said the issue was sub-judice in the High Court and added that the parties have been restrained from interfering with the gates till the case is disposed of.
“The Comunidade does not stand to gain anything by repairing or replacing the gates. However, to arrive at a settlement on the issue, the Cortalim Comunidade Tenants’ Association has to elect a committee. As of now, there is no one the comunidade can speak to and the adhoc committee has no legal standing in the eyes of the law. So, the Association has to elect a proper committee and thereafter a solution can be arrived at.”
When asked as to why the committee was not formed, Vaz said the issue was before the Mormugao Mamlatdar and he has been constantly pursuing the matter with the authorities.
When contacted, mamlatdar Laxmikant Desai said the issue was sub judice but when informed about the appointment of the farmers’ committee, Desai said he would immediately refer the matter to the Deputy Collector (Revenue) in Margao for further action.
Farmers in Cortalim are not the only ones who are facing a problem regarding the entry of saline water into the fields.
In the nearby khazan fields at Irlem-Sancoale, the government spent around Rs 7 lakh to repair the sluice gates, but unscrupulous elements released saline water into the fields to deprive the farmers from cultivating the fields, which have been lying fallow for over 20 years.
This is despite the assurances by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at a farmers’ meeting after the Assembly elections that he would take every care to ensure that the interests of the farmers are protected, adding that a law would be brought to deal with the miscreants inundating paddy fields.
