Uproar in Aquem gram sabha over mega housing project
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JULY 4
The Aquem-Baixo gram sabha on Sunday witnessed uproar over a mega housing project in the village, with the members demanding to know from the chair the status of the project when the gram sabha had earlier rejected the project.
The matter was hotly debated at the meeting after which the Sarpanch promised to follow the instructions of the special committee constituted to look into the project.
The Sarpanch also agreed to serve a notice on the builder to produce the relevant court order under which he got the project renewed within 15 days.
The issue over the acquisition of agricultural fields for the rehabilitation of migrants also figured at the meeting. While condemning the blatant use of force by the government to snatch away fertile agricultural land of poor farmers, the members demaned that the government should immediately remove the fencing and allow the farmers to cultivate their land.
Regarding the Regional Plan, the Sarpanch promised to call for a meeting of the RP Committee soon and complete the regional plan and submit to the TCP immediately.
The Sarpanch explained the steps taken by the Panchayat to prevent vector borne diseases and agreed to coordinate with the Primary health centre to create awareness and prevention.
A member Orlando Dias proposed that no constructions should be allowed to come up along the bank of the tributary of River Sal which flows through the village. The proposal was unanimously accepted by the gram sabha. The members also complained that a lot of housing societies and even bungalows are releasing sewage in the river.
Joseph Vaz also explained the importance of rain water harvesting and that builders should be discouraged from tarring or concreting the surroundings.
