SCANNER ON CASINOS FOR MONEY LAUNDERING & TERROR FUNDING

To prevent money laundering and financing of terrorist activities, the Goa government has made it mandatory for casino owners to put in place a system to check customer identity and report transactions of over Rs 10 lakhs or any 'suspicious' transaction to the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND). The guidelines, notified by the home department on December 17 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005, will have to be complied with by all casinos registered under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976. Money laundering involves disguising financial assets so that they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them. There is no one single method of laundering money. Methods can range from the purchase and resale of a luxury item (eg. cars or jewellery) to passing money through a complex web of legitimate businesses and "shell" companies. Now with the government's notification, each registered casino must be able to satisfy itself that the measures taken by it are adequate, appropriate and follow the spirit of the requirements as enshrined in Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). According to section 12 of PMLA, every banking company, financial institution and intermediary has obligations to verify the identity of its clients, maintain certain records and furnish certain information to the director, FIU-IND. PMLA rules require appointment of a person as principal officer by each registered casino and inform his particulars to FIU-IND. He/she would act as a central reference point of the casino for the purpose of interaction with FIU-IND. PMLA rules also require casinos to verify identity of their clients. In case of account-based relationship, verification of identity is required in all cases, but in other cases verification is required only for customers who undertake transactions of an amount equal to or more than Rs 50,000, whether conducted as a single transaction or several transactions that appear to be connected. Every registered casino must report all cash transactions of more than Rs 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency to FIU-IND. All series of cash transactions integrally connected to each other which have been valued below Rs 10 lakhs or its equivalent in foreign currency where such series of transactions take place within one calendar month also have to be reported. The casinos will have to ensure that all customer and transaction records are available on a timely basis to the competent investigating authorities.

UNABLE TO DEMOLISH RUSSIAN RESORT : ALEXO SEQUEIRA SAYS SORRY

Environment minister Aleixo Sequeira apologized to the state legislative assembly for failing to fulfill his promise made to the house of demolishing a resort in Morjim built in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. “I apologize to the house that despite the assurance given by me to the house, we have been unable to demolish the illegal structure because the local deputy collector was unable to execute the instructions,” Sequeira said. The resort, True Axis, in the coastal belt of Pernem taluka is managed by Russians and is currently under investigation by the enforcement directorate, the opposition alleged during question hour. It is among the 286 properties purchased by foreigners being probed for violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) by the enforcement directorate. Sequeira accepted the opposition’s charges that the resort violated CRZ norms, and his apology blamed the officers in charge of the demolition of having failed to carry out the orders. Following Sequeira’s apology, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar said, “How can a deputy collector violate an assurance given by a minister in the house? This is a total collapse of the administration.” He said the refusal by an officer to execute the orders of a minister meant there was a breakdown of governance in the state. Parrikar said the deputy collector had refused to execute the order with the excuse that the director of the company owning the resort in whose name the order was issued was no more the director of that company. “This is completely unacceptable,” he said. “What does it matter to the deputy collector if the director of the company has changed? He should have made the orders in the new director’s name. The point is that the structure is illegal and has to be demolished,” Parrikar said. He sought disciplinary action against the deputy collector concerned.

VARKHAND VILLAGERS TO OPPOSE MOPA ROAD

Farmers opposition to the proposed acquisition of land for a 160-metre broad road linking the Mopa airport to the national highway stalled the process for the second time within a fortnight as Varkhand villagers refused to give any commitment to the special land acquisition officer (SLAO). After SLAO M K Vasta who had approached villagers in Cansarvarnem on December 10 to discuss the land acquisition for the road was turned back by villagers stating unanimously that they would not part with their land, a week later Vasta also faced resistance in neighbouring Varkhand recently. The SLAO came up with a scaled down proposal for land acquisition stating that the road width would be reduced to 60 metres. "The officer said the proposal was to reduce the road to 60m," Sandip Kambli, Xetkareancho Ekvott member said. However, the villagers asked for a official proof instead of an oral one. "The first issue our villagers raised was to show the cancellation of the proposal for a 160m road and proof of due publication in the official gazette," Kambli said. Farmers also declined to express any commitment whether they are willing to part with their land for the 60-metre road, too. "Even if the cancellation is done, they said that they can consider the proposal but cannot give any commitment to part with their land," Kambli said.

ACTIVISTS FLAY SUGGESTION ON PANCHAYAT TRIBUNAL

The Goa Law Commission's recommendation to introduce district courts as panchayat tribunals to entertain second appeals and revision petitions on the orders of the director of panchayats (DoP) is only a means to delay and complicate the disputes redressal system in village panchayats and put justice beyond the reach of the common man. This was the collective opinion of participants at a recent consultation to discuss the recommendations of the Goa Law Commission (GLC) to the Goa government for carrying out amendments to the Goa Panchayati Raj Act. The consultation was organized by Centre for Panchayati Raj-Peaceful Society and attended by elected panchayat representatives, lawyers, academicians, activists and gram sabha members. Instead of panchayat tribunal, the consultation suggested that there should be a panchayat commission consisting of three members; the chairman being a retired district court judge or a serving district judge on deputation, and two public personalities having experience in social or panchayati raj affairs. The consultation also pointed out that while the GLC recommended that the panchayat tribunal should try to dispose the revision petitions within three months, no such time limit has been set for the director of panchayats to dispose appeals before him. This leaves the door wide open for the director to kill all village-level opposition by the simple expedient of delaying the case through timeless adjournments, the consultation opined. Another concern voiced by the participants is the injecting of the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code into the Panchayati Raj Act, which amounts to further centralization of powers by the government in order to subjugate the local bodies by rendering them toothless. The recommendations that powers be given to the director of panchayats and heads of government departments to interfere in the administration of village panchayats is also an infringement on the rights of the local self-governments. It was agreed that the powers of the director of panchayats must be limited to administrative matters only and should not extend to any quasi-judicial matters whatsoever. The participants also noted with concern that the GLC has not conducted any public consultation on this issue where a bill already passed by the Assembly has been returned back by the Governor after a public outcry. The participants felt that instead of carrying out piece-meal changes to the Panchayat Raj Act, the government should constitute a broad-based committee to study the entire Act in the light of the draft model Panchayat Act prepared by the union ministry for panchayati raj and the Goan experience of the last 15 years. It was also decided to request all gram sabhas and VP elected bodies in Goa to adopt resolutions opposing the recommendations of the Goa Law Commission for amendments to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act. Present among the participants at the consultation were chairperson of Goa Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan Nelly Rodrigues, sarpanch of Macasana Mariano D'Costa, Thalmann Pereira, Jatin Naik, executive secretary of Council for Social Justice and Peace Fr Maverick Fernandes and other activists. The consultation was moderated by the director of Centre for Panchayati Raj Soter D'Souza.

DAVORLIM LOCALS AGAINST LAND FOR KABRASTAN

Villagers of Davorlim came out strongly against any moves of the government to provide land for setting up of a kabrastan in the village at the special gram sabha of the Davorlim village panchayat. Voicing their strong disapproval over the government's move of setting in motion the process of acquiring some 1.20 lakh sq m of land in the village for multipurpose utility projects, villagers resolved to oppose any plans to set up a kabrastan in the comunidade land. Gram sabha member Sylvester Niasso pointed out the comunidade land which was being acquired, was reserved specifically for the farmers of the village considering their housing needs. "The land should be given to those farmers who have been residing in the village for over 50 years or so, to take care of their needs of housing in view of the expansion in their families over the years. Especially, taking into consideration that agricultural lands are being sold by landlords to builders, the mundcars who had been residing on these lands are left in the lurch. The land should be offered to such landless farmers first, before considering any such grandiose projects," Niasso pointed out. The gram sabha supported Niasso's views and a resolution to that effect was unanimously adopted

GOA HOT SPOT FOR DRUGS : NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU

Even as the Narcotics Control Bureau said that Goa, along with Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, has emerged as “hot spots” for drugs, two patrolling Tivim railway station caught three Nepalis red-handed with charas worth about Rs 10 lakh . The trio, who had arrived from Delhi, was carrying 9.825 kg of charas concealed under ghee in two plastic cans. The arrest vindicates NCB’s report that that drug cartels have in these three states well established networks that deal in cocaine, charas, Ecstasy and LSD, besides other synthetic drugs. Some places in the tourist hubs of Goa, Himachal and Rajasthan have attained wide publicity on the internet, being projected as ‘hash destinations’, NCB said in its 2008 annual report.

MISSING FILE NO EXCUSE FOR DELAY : COURT TELLS GOA GOVERNMENT

The high court of Bombay at Goa declined to accept the government's plea to condone the delay of 772 days for filing an appeal on the ground that the concerned 'file was missing'. The government had approached the court after the forest department, in a lower court, lost claim over a property admeasuring 1.73 lakh sq m in Sanvordem in 2007. The government prayed before the court in 2009 to condone the delay to file an appeal challenging the judgment passed by the district court in Margao on January 31, 2007. The district court had ordered that one Minguel Fernandes was the owner of the property in a suit contested by the government claiming that the property was declared as a reserved forest and it belonged to the forest department. However, the government failed to file appeal within the stipulated period. Later, the government filed an application before the high court to condone the delay to file an appeal on the ground that the missing file was traced after one and a half years and that subsequently additional time was required to finalize the appeal. Rejecting the government's application, Justice R M Savant observed thus: "The tracing of the file should have been done with some urgency and why the file could be traced only after a period of almost one and a half years has not been explained beyond saying that the file had to be located from amongst the 3000 files which are in the office of Chief Conservator of Forests. The said explanation in my view is not bonafide and has just been given to cover up the delay." The facts as disclosed show that the approach of the officers were most casual and "did not have the seriousness that was required befitting the case", the court remarked. The court also held that one would have expected the state government to move expeditiously in the matter in the context of the decree (judgment) passed by the lower court. The 'limitation' for filing the appeal was long over in May 2007, however, no attempt was made to expedite the process of filing the appeal, the court noted.

NO NEW MINING LEASE IN QUEPEM

The government has no intention of considering new applications for grant of leases in Quepem taluka, chief minister Digambar Kamat informed the House . Replying to the calling attention motion tabled by Quepem MLA Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, he said that the directorate of mines and geology has received several applications regarding mining leases in some areas of Quepem, but they will not be approved. Kamat had told the House that applications for renewal of mining leases and fresh ones for prospecting are being received by the mines department, but government will not grant any new lease till the mining policy is approved. Kavlekar alleged that applications for mining leases in five panchayats of Naqueri, Betul, Fatorpa, Morpirla, Benurdem and other places had been received by the mines department, and the villagers were kept in the dark about it. "The land required for mining was mostly agricultural, owned and tilled by scheduled tribes," he said. Kavlekar said that the villages would be wiped out if mining was allowed in them as vast areas were sought to be brought under mining.

GBA FLAYS COPS FOR DISRUPTING AWARNESS PROGRAMME

Goa Bachao Abhiyan has strongly condemned the action of the Goa Police to disrupt the awareness programme on the DLF project at Dabolim in Chicalim Panchayat area on the pretext of asking written NOC to conduct an awareness program even without loudspeakers . The organizers - the Chicalim Village Action Group [CVAC] and Concerned Residents of Mormugao [CROM] - had oral permission from the persons concerned and this was communicated to the police, GBA said in a press note issued here.That the police were prejudiced against the awareness program was obvious as they reportedly visited homes of local residents and intimidated them, GBA general secretary Reboni Saha said adding that “men went to people’s houses urging them not to attend the program, despite which people came and attended the same. When that did not work, the police stated that some people had complained and stopped the meeting despite knowing that the complainants had no locus standi in the matter. Villagers from adjoining talukas who were en route to the meeting were misguided and sent to Vasco town from Airport junction instead, she added.The harassment of the locals continued even today, with the police summoning to the Vasco police station for questioning Mr Edwin Mascarenhas and the persons who had given permission to hold the programme. The Vasco police took written NOC from the committee members of the chapel for the meeting after they disrupted it yesterday. Residents of Mormugao today marched to the police station and questioned the action of the police who were quick to summon activists for interrogation but failed to act on complaints of illegal hill cutting and felling of trees despite complaints.GBA states that if every thing was legal, it was unfortunate that the elected members chose to disrupt an awareness program instead of informing the people by democratic methods or at the gram sabha why they permitted the mega holiday home projects.With the disruption of the meeting by vested interest, aided by the police and illegal permissions by various departments, the GBA has all the more reason to believe that everything is not right with the DLF project, general secretary Reboni Saha said. Despite the people wanting the awareness program to continue, GBA decided to wind off the meeting to avoid law and order problem, which apparently the promoters of DLF desperately wanted, the press note said. The modus operandi planned by the disrupters was to make the local people fight among themselves so that the attention from their illegal activities got diverted, GBA said.

QUEPEM LOCALS OPPOSE NEW MINING LEASE

Upping their ante against proposed new mining leases in the villages, people of Morpirla, Barcem, Fatorpa and Balli villages in Quepem taluka, at a public protest meeting held at the residence of the Quepem MLA Chandrakant 'Babu' Kavlekar , resolved to thwart any attempts by the government to allow the village lands to be used for mining purposes. Significantly, Kavlekar, who led the villagers from the front in voicing their protest, vowed to oppose tooth and nail any plans to grant mining leases in the villages of Quepem and assured to raise the issue in the forthcoming session of the state legislative assembly. Speakers expressed their disappointment over the absence of the chief minister Digambar Kamat at the meeting. It may be recalled that the villagers had demanded Kamat's presence at the meeting to seek a public clarification from him over the issue with Kavlekar claiming that Kamat was indeed invited for the meeting. Addressing the villagers, Kavlekar exhorted the villagers to stay united and not to fall prey to the machinations of the mining lobby to usurp village lands. "It appears that the government is going back on its assurance that no new mining leases will be granted until the mining policy of the state is finalized. If mining activities are allowed in our villages, it will spell doom for the village economy as it will destroy all paddy fields and water resources, and gradually consume our entire villages," the chairman of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) cautioned. Former sarpanch of Barcem Khushali Velip, Betul sarpanch Veluna D'Silva also spoke. A committed headed by a villager Shanu Velip was constituted with a view to chalking out the further course of action

TRIBALS HOLD PANJIM TO RANSOM FOR FOUR HOURS TO PROTEST UNJUSTICE

Hundreds of motorists found themselves trapped in a four-hourlong jam—the worst the state has seen in recent times—on NH17 and all roads leading into the capital city as the United Tribals Association Alliance laid siege to the Mandovi bridges.
With the police caught totally unprepared to deal with the situation, serpentine queues stretched almost till the O’Coqueiro circle on the north bank while on the southern side vehicles were lined up till the Merces junction and Santa Monica jetty.
Although UTAA had been publicly proclaiming that it would mobilize at least 4,000 people, and indeed did so , the police expected only 1,000-odd agitators, and posted a mere 40-50 of their personnel to deal with the agitators. As many as two ambulances were caught in the middle of the chaos, while another two could not make it to the distressed callers, sources in EMRI said. Several people could not reach the airport in time for their flights.
“I was stuck in the jam till 2.15pm while my flight was at 3. There was no way I could have made it,” said Anirudh Patir, an IIT student from Delhi. Motorists approaching Panaji from the Porvorim side who got wind of what lay ahead drove to the Betim ferry point. At about 1 pm, there were almost 600 persons at the jetty trying to cross the river. “Not a policeman was in sight. When you have hundreds of people getting out of the ferry and another hundred fighting to get in, there could be a stampede. The situation would have got out of hand but there were a few people who started managing the crowd,” said Panaji- based businessman Mujtaba Haaziq. He reached the jetty at 12.45pm but managed to get on a ferry only at 2.45pm. He reached office only at 3.13pm.
A worried parent from Porvorim asked a friend to pick up his children from their school at Panaji and wait at the Panaji ferry point. He drove to Betim, crossed over on a ferry and brought his kids back home. The UTAA is demanding a tribal welfare ministry and department, reservations in the assembly and protesting the non-utilization of budgetary provisions made for scheduled tribes.

HIGH NOTICE TO GOVERNMENT OVER ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS IN GOA

The high court of Bombay at Goa issued notice to the town and country planning department, department of mines and geology, captain of ports, deputy collector, mamlatdar of Mapusa, director general of police, Calangute police and Panaji police with regard to 92 illegal constructions in Candolim and Calangute. A division bench of Justice V K Tahilaramani and Justice N A Britto passed the directions in a petition filed by Cliffon Dias, Damatalio Dias and Santan Cardoso complaining about indiscriminate hill-cutting and illegal constructions in Calangute and Candolim. The petitioners have alleged that the authorities have been turning a Nelson's eye to the illegalities despite several complaints made by them. They have pointed out that they had complained in 2006 but no action had been taken.

494 STRUCTURE FACE DEMOLITION UNDER CRZ RULES

The deputy collectors of North and South Goa identified the structures to be demolished for violating the CRZ notification of 1991. While about 344 structures in the villages of Arambol, Morjim, Anjuna and Calangute in North Goa have been finalized for demolition, in South Goa around 150 structures have been identified from Poingunim, Loliem, Velsao, Cavelossim, Varca, Benaulim, Betalbatim, Utorda, Majorda, Arossim, Cansaulim, Sernabatim and other beachfronts. The decisions come in the wake of recent directions by high court of Bombay at Goa to both deputy collectors to work out a time schedule to carry out demolitions of the illegal structures where appeals are not pending, within eight weeks. North Goa deputy collector Sabaji Shetye, who is also in-charge of the demolition squad, chaired a meeting to implement the court order. The meeting was attended by the mamlatdars of Pernem and Bardez, the block development officer of Bardez, executive engineers of the PWD and electricity departments and the sarpanchas of Anjuna, Calangute and Morjim. Sources said that although there are a huge number of structures in the CRZ areas, the 344 structures which have been identified in North Goa for demolition are the “cases which have attained finality”. These structures are spread over four villages: 34 in Arambol, 20 in Morjim, over 200 in Anjuna and about 90 in Calangute

COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT ONSITE VERIFICATION OF DLF MEGA PROJECT AT DABOLIM

Chief town planner Morad Ahmed, asked DLF to stop hill cutting at its project site at Dabolim, said he will constitute a committee comprising an officer of the department and a person nominated by SOS and GBA to conduct an onsite verification. He added that he is willing to reconsider the permissions if the slope gradients are not as per law for development. DLF vice president of operations Ravi Rajan could not be contacted till late evening for his comments. Another official declined to comment, stating that he was not authorized to speak. A delegation of Save Our Slopes and GBA had brought to the notice of the CTP that this was a no development zone under RP 2021 and the ODP should be subservient to RP 2021. All works which are not permitted as per RP2021 should be kept in abeyance till the plan is finalized, the delegation maintained. Secretary of SOS Edwin Mascarenhas pointed out that no physical verification of the steep slopes was done and hence no permission could be given. GBA convenor Sabina Martins stated that the TCP should not have given permission as there was a court order which stated that an NOC from the forest department was required for development. The delegation alleged that no NOC from the forest department had been obtained.

HIGH COURT : FILE DETAILS OF ACTION AGAINST CRZ VIOLATIONS

The high court of Bombay at Goa directed 26 coastal panchayats in the state to file an affidavit within three weeks furnishing details of action taken by them against the structures built in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification. A division bench comprising Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto passed the order after hearing a suo motu writ petition regarding the CRZ violations along the states coastal belt after CRZ regulations came into force on February 19, 1991. The bench made it clear that the panchayats should give details of the number of appeals filed and whether any stay is granted pertaining to such constructions. . During the hearing, amicus curaie Norma Alvares pointed out that most of the panchayats have issued demolition orders to these illegal structures. Many panchayat orders are stayed by the directorate of panchayats when these are challenged by those who have carried out such constructions, she said, while pointing out that the panchayats have not carried out demolitions in the no development zone (NDZ). Subsequently, Justice Britto observed that the suo motu petition is pending before the court for the last three years. "Three years down the line the illegal structures are yet to be demolished," he noted, while further observing that "it is a collosal waste of time". Meanwhile, during the hearing of the matter, Alvares also mentioned before the court that it appears that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had carried out an inspection of beaches in Goa for the purpose of increasing the number of shacks along the Calangute and Candolim beach stretches. "The GCZMA may now recommend the allotment of 48 new shacks along this belt," she said. She also told the court that she had written to the director of tourism seeking details about the number of additional beach shacks, but the director had failed to reply to her query. Responding to her submission, the court asked Alvares to file an appropriate application/petition before the court regarding this issue.

CCP TO ACT AGAINST 2 ILLEGAL FLOORS OF PADMAVATI TOWER

In what could be viewed as proof of the stranglehold builders have upon government and semi-government authorities, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) admitted that the fifth and sixth floors of Padmavati Towers on the 18th June Road are illegal. Admitting that both floors are illegal CCP, in reply to an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, said that the final notice pertaining to the illegal construction was pasted at the premises as far back as December 11, 2007. The Panaji civic body acknowledged that the notice had mandated that the owner of the premises restore the structure to its original form. As per the notice, the restoration was required to be done by January 7, 2008. CCP further stated that no steps were initiated to tackle the violation and also admitted that the owner had acknowledged the wrongful act, which had been noted in the concerned file signed by the CCP’s assistant engineer on November 20, 2007. The CCP, however, says that action against the illegal structures will be taken shortly. A few days ago CCP had ordered the demolition of an illegal floor atop a heritage building opposite the Captain of Ports in Panaji. The CCP said that the second floor was illegal as it was in a conservation commercial zone over a building which is 100 years old. The offending party has been directed to demolish the structure, failing which demolition will be carried out by the CCP and expenses recovered from the party as arrears of property tax.

GBA FORCED TO CUT SHORT MEETING AT CHICALIM

Members of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) were compelled to cut short their public meeting at Chicalim as they had failed to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from the authorities concerned to conduct the same. Incidentally, the meet was aimed at informing the villagers of Chicalim about the drawbacks of the DLF project in the village. It was organized by members of the Chicalim Village Action Committee (CVAC) and Concerned Residents of Mormugao (CRM) in collaboration with the GBA. However, the meeting was interrupted by the Vasco police who sought a copy of the NOC from GBA. "People had recommended that spot as village meetings were generally held there," GBA convenor Sabina Martins said. "However, we did not want to create a law and order situation, so we decided to wind up the meeting," she added. GBA members also clarified that the police were informed of the meeting on Saturday and that pamphlets were subsequently circulated informing the general public of the event. They alleged that Rahul D'Costa, ex-sarpanch of Chicalim, along with a group of people, tried to thwart the meeting with the help of the police. "The meeting was organized on the request of the villagers as they wanted to be informed about the ills of the upcoming project. Nevertheless, although the meet was interrupted, our purpose was fulfilled, as we were able to distribute 300 pamphlets containing all the drawbacks of the DLF project. All the information was obtained under the Right To Information Act," said GBA member Edwin Mascarenhas.

HIGH COURT ISSUES NOTICE TO PANCHAYATS OF MAJORDA,UTTORDA,CALATA

The high court of Bombay at Goa issued a notice to the village panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata on a petition alleging contempt of court as it violated the court's directives not to issue any fresh licences to structures within the CRZ-III area. The contempt petition has been filed by Maclean Dourado and Joao Paulo Fernandes, both residents of Utorda. The petitioners have pointed out that in 2006, the high court had passed an order directing the state government to conduct a survey to determine the number of structures existing in the CRZ-III zone before February 19, 1991. The court had further directed that until the survey is completed no new licences should be issued or granted, and no new structure of any nature should be allowed to be constructed in the CRZ-III zone, except repairs and renovation of the existing houses. The petitioners have alleged that the panchayat violated these orders by issuing fresh licences for construction within the CRZ-III zone, in the garb of renewing lapsed licences. According to the petitioners, the panchayat had renewed the construction licences granted to the structures of Hospitality Resorts and Sneha Hotels & Developers Ltd, both in Utorda. The court will hear the petition further after two weeks.

MINING A THREAT TO GOA : MIKE PANDEY

"Tourists from across India and the world come to Goa to see its beaches and lush green mountains and to enjoy its soothing environment, but the alarming rate at which mining is going on in the state if it continues for a few more years at this pace it will pose a serious threat to Goa's natural beauty," renowned filmmaker and conservationist Mike Pandey said. Pandey, a three-time `Green Oscar' award winner, was chief guest at a special function organized by NGO ECHO-Goa in Panaji. He felicitated Parag Ranganekar, Nirmal Kulkarni, Sadguru Patil and Arnold Noronha for their contributions to the fields of wildlife and environment conservation. Pandey said man has become "greedy and self-centered". "We are plundering natural resources without thinking about the future. The man-elephant conflict has climaxed in various parts of India. Elephants from Dandeli are making inroads into Goa and Maharashtra as their natural habitat is threatened. The struggle for food and water has intensified and forced the mammoths to leave Dandeli," said the maker of the award-winning `The Vanishing Giants', a documentary that captured the plight of a captured elephant. Addressing the gathering, Pandey pointed out to the over 300 rivers which originate in the Western ghats including Goa's major lifelines, Mandovi and Zuari, and said that activities such as mining gradually destroy rivers and other water bodies through siltation and pollution. "Goa is blessed with a varied and rich biodiversity which needs discovering. There are certain species of flora and fauna which are found only in Goa. The horsehoe crab, found in abundance in Goa, has tremendous medicinal potential. Butterflies and honey bees are the most important insects which help in the process of pollination, with their existence threatened, crops are failing which in turn will be responsible for soaring food prices," said Pandey. Rise in sea level on account of global warming will create more complex problems in Goa, which is a coastal state, he added. "Goan youth have to come forward to protect and conserve the biological wealth of Goa," stressed Pandey.

DABOLIM HILL SIDE UNDER SIEGE : GBA & CVAC WARN OF MASS AGITATION

Alleging blatant hill cuttings, felling of trees and illegal digging of bore wells for a huge project advertised by DLF Homes in Dabolim, Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) along with Chicalim Village Action Committee (CVAC) has threatened to agitate if the permissions are not withdrawn.A press conference called jointly by the GBA, CVAC and some citizens of Mormugao condemned the violations and called for immediate withdrawal of permissions for felling of trees and cutting of hill slopes. The role of the Town and Country Planning Department, Forest Department, the PDA and other departments concerned has come into sharp focus with this development, environmentalists say.Convenor GBA Sabina Martins asserted in the Regional Plan 2021 the area where the project is coming up has been shown as No Development Zone, while the Outline Development Plan begs to differ on this aspect. The TCP Department has allowed hill cutting on a steep slope under section 17 (A) of TCP Act, she stated. Martins said hill slope cutting permission by the Chief Town Planner on a No Development Zone slope, sub-division of plots allowed without conversion sanad, bore wells dug without permission and felling of trees were some of the irregularities in the area. The structure is being planned for around 600 residences, it was stated. Secretary GBA Reboni Saha said the lawlessness has been promoted by deliberate ambiguity Dabolim hillside under siege!in the RP 2021 and ODP. Two-thirds of the property in Survey No 43/1-A comes under Eco Zone-I, but the ODP is showing settlement markings, she stated. Reboni reminded when the controversial Regional Plan was being argued in court in 2006 in a petition filed by Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) the Government in defense had said colour markings on plans made no difference, rules came first. It had said if settlement has been shown in a CRZ area or a hill slope, the rule of NDZ would prevail, she recalled. Sabina said the project would be like another one where work is still going on despite the court being aware files relating to the project have gone missing. Looks like a similar pattern is emerging in Dabolim, she added. Edwin Mascarenhas, a resident of Mormugao, who shared his concern, said the matter came up before the Chicalim panchayat. In 2008, the panchayat issued a stop work notice to the builder Sarawati Constructions Pvt Ltd, sister concern of DLF Homes, after which not much was known, he mentioned. Mascarenhas said Sarawati bought 77,300 square metres of land from one Anand Chandra Bose, who had purchased a total area of 1.02 lakh square metres from Vithal Naik of Comba, Margao. He said after inspection of documents under the RTI Act last month they had learnt that the panchayat had reluctantly given revised permissions to the builder after seeking legal opinion. He explained, “The issue had come before the TCP Board where the Planning and Development Authority of Mormugao failed to appear for the first hearing which was adjourned without a date.” “After 90 days lapsed and no further hearing taking place the builder went to the panchayat and told since the PDA failed to come for the hearing they should be issued permissions under a deemed clause. The panchayat after taking legal opinion had to give new permissions to the builder”, he observed. The residents in the area have decided to come together to fight the project tooth and nail and approaching the High Court was one of the options they were looking into.

GBA - SOS TEAM SUBMITS MEMO TO TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING DEPARTMENT

A joint delegation of Save Our Slopes (SOS) and Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) visited the Town and Country Planning Department and submitted a memorandum protesting against the approval to the project at Alto-Dabolim.A press release issued here states the Chief Town Planner was not present in the office despite the fact that a public announcement was made that the concerned people would be meeting the officials . It became amply clear that there was something fishy about the DLF project and so the officials decided to avoid the people and stayed away from office.The press release further states that the memorandum was inwarded in the office, which demanded withdrawal of the hill cutting permission given by the TCP despite the fact that Regional Plan had clearly marked the hills as No Development Zone. The Conservator of Forest had not given NOC for development on the forested hills, which is mandatory for development, yet the TCP gave permission for hill cutting, further states the release.The delegation comprising of SOS convenor Mr Audoot Naik, GBA convenor Sabina Martins, Dr Claude Alvares from Goa Foundation, Fr Maverick, Miguel Braganza, Pravin Sabnis, Swati Kerkar among others met Deputy Planner Mr Vinod Kumar who said that he dealt with RP 2021 and was not the concerned officer with respect to hill cutting. The release further states that the team was then directed to Deputy Planner M K Srikanth who stated that the higher officers had given permission. On confronting the officer stating that the files relating to slopes gradient went from the junior officers to senior officers with a noting, Srikanth stated that the slopes were within the gradient. Dr Claude Alvares pointed out that the documents of the TCP itself had stated that the slopes were 30 per cent and no construction could be permitted to which the officer had no answer. The delegation told the officer to convey to his seniors that the team would once again visit the office to seek answers and get the permissions revoked.The press release states that the TCP Department also defaulted as it did not peruse the project files in the stipulated time and allowed DLF to avail of automatic permissions under the deemed clause, which says that if the authorities do not give permission within the stipulated time the party gets automatic permission . The SOS and GBA have questioned the government as to how a project worth Rs 136 crore was allowed automatic permissions without scrutiny of files while the common person has to run from pillar to post and harassed with queries before any permission is granted.The SOS with the support of GBA has decided that it will consistently visit the TCP office till the permissions are withdrawn.

SEZ CASE HEARING ADJOURNED TO FEB 2009

The high court of Bombay at Goa on Monday adjourned the hearing of petitions pertaining to the special economic zones (SEZ) to February 9, 2010. A division bench comprising Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto deferred the hearing of the petitions filed by six SEZ promoters—Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd, Peninsular Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Paradigm Logistic & Distribution Private Ltd, Planetview Mercantile Company Pvt Ltd, Inox Mercantile Company Pvt Ltd and Maxgrow Finlease Pvt Ltd—challenging the show cause notices issued by Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) over the withdrawal of land allotted to them (promoters) after the state government changed its SEZ policy. While adjourning the hearings, the bench directed the state government to file its reply to the amended petitions by January 9, 2010. Further, the SEZ promoters have been directed to file their rejoinder to the government's reply, if any, within two weeks thereafter. The court had on July 27 allowed the petitioners to amend their petitions in view of the withdrawal of the SEZ policy by the state government on June 15. The government had not filed any reply to these amended petitions. While adjourning the hearing of the petitions, the bench told the advocates appearing on behalf of the petitioners and the respondents that no further adjournments would be granted, and also that the bench was inclined to take up the petitions for final disposal on February 9. The SEZ promoters in their petitions pleaded that since they invested heavily in the projects, they suffered huge losses after stop-work orders were issued by the state government. Meanwhile, on February 9, the court will also hear the public interest litigations filed by the villagers of Keri, Sancoale and Verna, challenging GIDC's decision to allot land in their respective villages on lease agreements to the SEZ promoters. The villagers have complained that the land was allotted fraudulently.

TREES HACKED,MIRAMAR SEES RED

The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) issued a stop work order against a project for construction of a residential-cum-commercial complex by a private party near the site of a prime green property acquired by the science and technology department at Miramar to set up what was touted as “one of the world’s largest underwater aquariums”.
Fearing a possible “encroachment” on government land, a group of citizens complained to the CCP and forest department that a green patch was being cleared at the site. Confirming that CCP had issued the construction license, CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes said, “The location is being ascertained in view of the complaint and we have directed them not to carry out any work till further directions.” A board nailed to a banyan tree at the site indicates plans by a private body called Sai Baba Family Trust to construct a residential-cum-commercial building from an approval granted by the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA). The details of the approval have been mentioned on it, but none about the total area of the project. The trust representative could not be contacted despite several attempts. However, science and technology director Michael D’Souza maintained that the site of the oceanarium project has not been sold. “This has just come to our notice and we will ask collector north (revenue authorities) to inspect the area and if there is any encroachment, he should ensure that nothing comes up in it.” Asserting that it is government property, he explained that the whole project area has been enclosed by a concrete wall.
When pointed out that a private party has cited NGPDA clearance, D’Souza said, “It is earmarked for a specific purpose, the oceanarium project and it has definitely not been sold.”

MARGAO MUNCIPAL COUNCIL TO CRACK ON ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN MARGAO CITY

In what could be seen as a signal that the civic body will not tolerate illegal commercial activities in the town, chief officer of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), Prasanna Acharya said he will put an end to the illegal trade operation being carried out at a workshop at Chandrawado, Fatorda. The case in point dates back to January 2009 when a Fatorda local complained to the MMC against the workshop in question, stating that refrigerators were being repaired at the unit that was located in the midst of a residential area, thus causing a nuisance and inconveniencing the neighbourhood.
After dragging its feet for considerable time, the MMC conducted a site inspection on May 4, following which notice was issued to the owner of the unit to produce documents justifying his commercial operations in the area. Responding to the notice, the unit owner admitted on May 11 that he was running the trade without relevant approvals from the MMC. The civic body then issued a show cause notice to him on June 3 for carrying out commercial activities in an illegal manner.
Then chief officer of MMC Y B Tavde issued another notice to the unit owner on August 10, directing him to stop all activities in the unit within seven days failing which necessary action would be taken against him. As all this failed to have any bearing on the owner, the matter came up for discussion at the last meeting of the public accounts committee (PAC) headed by Fatorda legislator Damodar Naik held on October 6, where MMC chief officer Prasanna Acharya assured the committee of taking necessary action in the matter before the next PAC meeting was held. Acharya dashed off a final notice to the erring owner of the commercial unit under the Municipalities Act and the Public Health Act on October 23, to shift all goods and equipments from the said premises by 9am on October 26, failing which all goods would be confiscated and premises sealed.
"I received a reply from our technical section that everything from the premises was cleared," Acharya told TOI.Significantly, the next meeting of the PAC is scheduled to be held soon. Asked whether the MMC would initiate similar action against other illegal commercial activities in the city, Acharya said: "Definitely. All illegalities will be dealt with in a stern manner.

SHOW RP2021 BEFORE FINALIZING : COLVALE VILLAGERS

Colvale villagers demanded on Sunday that the town and country planning department (TCP) refer the regional plan 2021 back to the gram sabha after it is finalized for its perusal and final approval.
In the gram sabha chaired by sarpanch Asha Chodankar, local resident Mathew Pereira tabled the resolution urging for more transparency and people's participation in the final stages of drawing up the plan.
The resolution was adopted unanimously. Colvale has recommended low profile growth for the village. The non-implementation of some earlier resolutions, especially those regarding the mushrooming of about 15 scrapyards and more at a site called Gotnicho Val in land belonging to the Colvale comunidade sparked off some debate. "We are not happy with the panchayat issuing `stop work' orders and showcause notices, as these have only a temporary effect," a villager said. An office bearer of the Colvale communidade, Servo Fernandes sought to know as to who had permitted the setting up of scrapyards. Chodankar assured that action had been taken by issuing show cause notices.
Villagers alleged that hazardous activities, including storage of inflammable waste was going on inside the scrapyards without any checks or monitoring.
A couple of years back, a massive blaze at one of the scrapyards had injured around a dozen inmates in the slums. A few of these abut the national highway.
Villagers also raised queries about the entry of heavy vehicles from the highway into a narrow lane despite a resolution barring it. Members also sought to know what action had been taken to impound stray cattle. The sarpanch said that a cattle pound would be set up. Members also discussed the issue of evolving a system to collect non-biodegradable waste from the village.

HIGH COURT NOTICE TO GOVERNMENT OVER ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION

The high court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday issued notice to the town and country planning department, department of mines and geology, captain of ports, deputy collector, mamlatdar of Mapusa, director general of police, Calangute police and Panaji police with regard to 92 illegal constructions in Candolim and Calangute.
A division bench of Justice V K Tahilaramani and Justice N A Britto passed the directions in a petition filed by Cliffon Dias, Damatalio Dias and Santan Cardoso complaining about indiscriminate hill-cutting and illegal constructions in Calangute and Candolim.
The petitioners have alleged that the authorities have been turning a Nelson's eye to the illegalities despite several complaints made by them. They have pointed out that they had complained in 2006 but no action had been taken.

PANNEL TO SUGGEST STEPS AGAINST HILL CUTTING : ADVOCATE GENERAL

The state advocate general (AG) Subodh Kantak on Monday informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that a committee is being appointed by the government for suggesting measures to stop illegal hill cutting activities all over the state.
The AG made the statement during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Satish Benaulikar, who had complained about an illegal hill cutting in Siolim. The AG also submitted before the court an affidavit filed by the chief town planner (CTP) and prayed that the court may grant two weeks time in the matter. While granting the AG's prayer, a division bench comprising Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto observed that the affidavit did not comply with an order passed by this court on January 5, 2009

"The problem is not only the hill cutting. The problem is more the inaction of the authorities concerned", the court observed. The bench further warned the government to take action against the erring officers as well as the private parties or face the consequences if action is not taken. On January 5 this year, the AG had told the court that appropriate steps will be taken against the erring officers and the private respondents in the case. The court had earlier issued directions to take action against the Town and Country Planning officials concerned as well as the violators.

GOVT DELAYING RP2021 TO GIVE PERMISSION TO ODP'S : GBA

The Goa Bachao Abhiyan has slammed the government for deliberately delaying the regional plan 2021 so that permissions under the outline development plans can be given to the builders.

Talking to TOI, GBA convenor Sabina Martins said that the regional plan 2021 does not include the areas of the outline development plan (ODP) and all the regulations put in the RP2021 regarding eco-sensitive zones are being flouted in the ODP areas.

Martins said, "Sixty per cent of the population lives in the ODP areas, so the RP2021 seems to be futile exercise. The Town and Country planning department is uploading the suggestions of some people but the regional plan is not being uploaded onto the website. Neither are plans open to the public for inspection”.
To justify her charge that the government is delaying the RP2021 to give permissions under the ODP, Martins cites the case of the huge residential project coming up on the slopes of the Dabolim hill, which falls in Mormugao taluka and comes under the outline development plan. The GBA, the Goa Foundation, Chicalim Village Action committee, the Concerned Residents of Mormugao and others have been agitating against the project.
Martins said the project is supported by illegalities at four levels; forest department, town and country planning department, planning and development authority and village Panchayat. Martins said the developer applied to the forest department to cut trees for development purpose but has no NOC from the forest development for development purpose. "Yet the forest department has issued permission to cut trees. Though their license to cut trees expired in August, they continue to uproot trees at a furious pace," Martins said.
After a delegation of various NGOs led by the GBA met chief conservator of forests last week, he promised action. GBA is meeting the chief conservator again next week to check on what action he has taken. Next, the GBA wants to take on the town and country planning department. "The TCP has given permission for hill cutting under section 17A of the TCP Act. Government documents themselves show that the land is 30 per cent slope and under the RP2021, it is a no-development zone. So how did the TCP give the permission?" Martins asked. She also said the developer has dug borewells illegally and that is going to deplete the water table causing water shortage to the villages below the Dabolim hill. They have no plans for a sewage treatment plant and the uprooting of trees is going to cause landslides, Martins said.
The GBA is getting several complaints of hill cutting in other parts of Goa. "The police are supposed to act against the violators but they are not acting. On the other hand they were prompt in stopping our meeting at Dabolim even though we had oral permission," said Martins.
The Dabolim project is not the only worry for the NGOs. Said Martins, "In the case of Aldeia at Bambolim, the files are missing, the matter is in court, yet the construction is going on full swing with the knowledge of the court and the government. Are we heading towards a lawless society?"

LOCALS OBJECT BENAULIM VP'S ASSERTIONS

Benaulim villagers have taken strong exception to the assertions reportedly made by the Benaulim sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes recently favouring granting of revised construction license and occupancy certificate to a proposed mega housing project in the village.
Irked over the matter, Benaulim villagers action committee (BVAC) has now urged the authorities to `review' the decision of the Benaulim panchayat in that regard. "Benaulekars hope that the government will direct the village panchayat to verify the setbacks, the easement rights, access, etc. as per the building construction regulations now in force in Goa. The village panchayat cannot be allowed to abdicate it's duties and responsibilities," a press note signed by BVAC chairperson Geraldine Fernandes and convenor Seby Fernades said.
The villagers, in their complaint filed earlier, had alleged that statutory approvals had been granted to the project without following the laid down procedure. They had also accused the panchayat of having `pecuniary interests' in the project by doing so. They had further pointed out that the "traditional access existing in the subject property, generations before the construction began, is not adequately maintained

MMC TOLD TO ACT AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN VADDEM

The high court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday directed the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) to identify illegal structures built in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991, at Vaddem bay in Vasco within one month and thereafter initiate action against such structures within a month.
A division bench comprising Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto passed the order during the hearing of a petition filed by the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
The petitioner has pointed out that around 194 illegal hutments have come at Vaddem bay in violation of the CRZ Notification, 1991, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The petitioner has also alleged that MMC and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had failed to act against the CRZ violators inspite of the high court's directives.
During the hearing of the case, the petitioner's advocate, senior counsel Vijay Nadkarni, argued that the structures are in total violation of the CRZ Notification dated February 19, 1991
MMC's counsel S D Padiyar told the court that the council had already issued show cause notices to some of the violators. He also said that MMC would now require at least a month's time for identifying the alleged illegal structures. Thereafter, the bench granted MMC one month's time to identify the structures and another one month's time for initiating action against the violators under the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968.

RAZE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES: GCZMA TO EX SARPANCH

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has allotted a duration of one month to former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira and his wife Felicidade Sequeira to raze an illegal construction by them within the coastal regulation zone (CRZ). If the demolition is not carried out as stipulated, then the GCZMA will issue directions to the authority concerned to demolish it, an order issued by GCZMA member secretary, Michael D'Souza to the former sarpanch states.

After examining site inspection reports, written submissions and details of personal hearings, GCZMA members concluded that the Sequeiras had "flouted GCZMA's conditions and approvals for reconstruction of the existing house. Incidentally, former member secretary N P S Varde had approved the plans in August 2006, but the GCZMA held that the ground-plus-one structure was in violation of the approved plans and CRZ notification, 1991. The GCZMA had earlier issued a show cause notice to Sequeira and his wife under section 5 of the Environment (protection) Act, 1986 in the wake of a complaint regarding violation of CRZ notification 1991. The counsel for the former sarpanch, H D Naik, had at a personal hearing, explained that the construction was carried out as per the permission for reconstruction of the existing structure in survey no 146/28 and it was within the plinth area of the existing house. GCZMA records showed that plans had been approved for only an area admeasuring 198 sq m as granted by Varde.

TOURISM DEPT TO RAZE ILLEGAL SHACKS

Reacting to allegations of illegal shacks being erected on the state's beaches, the tourism department on Monday ordered an inquiry report and said it would demolish all illegal structures. The department has already halted the construction of an illegal shack at Benauli.

The matter was raised by The Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association (TGTSOA), whose spokesperson Kennedy Afonso alleged that the government was turning a blind eye to illegal shacks being erected even as the allotment of shacks has been stayed by the Supreme Court. The court will hear a petition filed by the rival Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) on November 27.
"What happened to the draw of lots to select spots on the beach? If the tourism department allows these illegalities to continue, it defeats the very purpose. Inviting fresh applications was a joke. What is this whole shack allotment exercise about?" Afonso questioned.
As per information gathered by TGTSOA, there are illegal shacks being erected in Cavelossim, Colva, Varca, Benaulim, Velsao and Calangute," he added. "The SOWS president has put up an illegal shack at Cavelossim," the TGTSOA spokesperson alleged.
"The SOWS approached the Supreme Court seeking to appeal the high court order (which directed the tourism department to allot shacks on the basis of lots rather than seniority), and got a status quo order issued. Now, the SOWS have themselves put the status quo directive in contempt," Afonso said.
"We have prepared an affidavit with the list of SOWS members who have violated the status quo directive and will submit it to the chief secretary," he added.
SOWS president Cruz Cardozo denied the allegations saying that i have not erected any shack. These allegations are baseless. Kennedy has himself put up an illegal shack at Cavelossim. In fact, TGTSOA members have put up shacks in private properties in Calangute and made illegal extensions into government land," Cardozo alleged. Countering the allegations, Kennedy asked Cardozo to prove the same.
When contacted, tourism director Swapnil Naik acknowledged that shacks have been erected. "However, these shacks are on private properties and have got permission from the respective panchayat and the tourism department," he said. He added, "We have received information that 2-3 shacks at Calangute have made illegal extensions on government property on the beach. I have asked for a report. We have also stopped a shack being erected on government land which was right in front of our lifeguard tower at Benaulim," the tourism director added. "Fact is that shack owners are getting restless as they are being deprived of their business. However, if we find any illegal shacks on government land, we will have to demolish them," the tourism director added.

VILLAGERS FEAR THE SAL MAY DRY UP DUE TO EXPLOITATION BY INDUSTRIAL UNITS AT VERNA PLATEAU

Kesarval, perhaps the most popular spring in South Goa till two years back, has dried up, but now villagers around the Verna plateau and environmentalists are worried about a greater catastrophe to Salcete's lifeline--the Sal drying up due to rampant exploitation of ground water by industrial units at Verna plateau.
Villagers around the Verna plateau sense the danger as they allege more than 200 bore wells at Goa's biggest and most productive industrial estate are sourcing the ground water for their needs. "The sinking of bore wells by some units has depleted the water table and dried up three popular springs in the area, which are the source of the Sal," Judith Rebello, a resident of Verna said. "Farmers have even stopped growing a second paddy crop due to quicker drying of water sources now.
Agrees A G Chachadi, hydrogeologist, "The ground water on the plateau has been a reservoir for thousands of years, and this natural tank is being emptied, without much consideration for recharge artificially, either through rainwater harvesting or other means”.
Lamenting the unsustainable development, he said the change of land use in the main upper catchment area of River Sal can lead to depletion of water level in villages below and dry up the river's sources. "The plateau is a recharge area and converting the land with natural cover into concrete leads to depletion. During rains, the water cannot penetrate the soil for recharge and flows faster down the slope," the associate professor of earth sciences, Goa University explained. However, past president of Verna industrial association Nitin Kunkolienkar refused to take the blame for units striking bore wells. "If there was enough water, no one would have dug bore wells, but the government has failed miserably in providing water for the units," the former president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. Urging the government to haul up Goa Industrial Development Corporation for its failure to find solutions to the problem, he said abundant raw water is available up to Sao Jose de Areal. Regarding rainwater harvesting by units at Verna, he said the scheme floated by water resources department has not yet taken off
. Chachadi says most units have huge structures with enough roof cover to carry out rain water harvesting for ground water recharge. "They have to put back into ground water what they pump out excessively," he said. Stating that indiscriminate pumping has amplified the impact on ground water, he urged the government to control it. "The ground water Act should be strictly implemented," he added.
However, the ground water cell of water resources department has failed to monitor or curb the rampant tapping of the resource, villagers allege. "All out gram sabha resolutions and petitions have had little effect," says Edwin Pinto, a resident of Nagoa.
H M Rangaraju, ground water officer, South Goa said that the process of monitoring is being initiated by sinking six bore wells for this purpose in various parts of the industrial estate. "These will help us exclusively gauge water levels on the plateau," he said. But sources said this exercise may take three years.
The actual monitoring of ground water use by individual units is proposed to be done by fixing water meters. "We will shortly fix 10 m on experimental basis and charges will be applied based on applications," he said. In another exercise, the flow in the nullahs from the plateau and water level in wells below will also be studied. The ground water cell has prohibited sinking of more bore wells. "We have given permissions for only 169 borewells," he said. However, villagers are not happy with the department's slow pace of remedial measures, fearing the danger to their lifeline. The Sal is known to originate from Uddear spring in the western foothills of Verna, but villagers say it is little known that more springs gushing down from the heart of Verna industrial plateau also contribute to its flow. "These springs join the flow to the Sal," Rebello said.
But rapid flow of water due to concretization of the plateau will decrease the dry weather flow to the Sal, says Chachadi. "As the rate of surface runs offs will increase due to change of land use, the plateau will not absorb the water and during dry weather, the base flow to the river will not happen," he said. This raises the possibility of greater salt water intrusion upstream of the river from the present point of tidal fluctuation near Nuvem. The probability of floods and pollution is also likely to increase. "The rapid run offs may carry more solid and liquid waste to the river and modify the river's water quality," he said. Chachadi who has been monitoring water levels of 25 wells around Verna plateau said due to change in chemical quality of surface water run offs, it may affect the food source of aquatic life in the river over a period of time.
The inter-tidal waters and coastal waters receive the micronutrient from the land based sources, but change in land use will bury the soil cover rich in these micronutrients. "The micronutrients will not be carried away to the river during rains due to concrete cover, and lack of food will affect fish population and their size and species," he explained.

WRIT FILED AGAINST CHICALIM SHIPYARD FOR VIOLATING CRZ VIOLATIONS

Chicalim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC) has filed a writ petition in the high court of Bombay at Goa questioning the clearance granted for constructing a shipyard training institute at Chicalim village allegedly in violation of CRZ notifications.
The petition came up for hearing on Monday before a division bench of Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto. CVAC has filed the petition along with Goa Foundation pointing out that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had granted clearance for the project in survey No. 153/1 of Chicalim village while ignoring the villagers' objections.
In November 2005 the gram sabha of Chicalim panchayat rejected the setting up of a shipyard. In 2006, the Chicalim village panchayat (VP) also passed a resolution opposing the project, points out the petition. During the hearing, petitioners' advocate Norma Alvares argued that the plot had been converted from mangroves (CRZ I) to industrial in the statutory plans to suit the proposed development. The new industrial zone is not permitted in the CRZ. She prayed that the court quash and set aside the clearance granted by GCZMA and also restrain the respondents from carrying out any development on the plot. Advocate E O Mendes, appearing on behalf of Pinky Shipyard, argued that at present the land is not ready for construction and no plans have been submitted.
The court was of the view that the Mormugao Port Trust, Captain of Ports and Chicalim VP were necessary parties to the petition and has directed the petitioners to add them while issuing notices to them. The court will hear the petitions further after six weeks.

HIGH COURT TOLD THAT NAGALLI LAND FILES MISSING

The Taleigao Bachao Andolan (TBA) on Wednesday informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that files pertaining to the open space at Nagalli, allegedly encroached upon by a private builder, were missing from the town and country planning department (TCP).
Subsequently, a division bench of Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto has asked the TCP, North Goa Planning and Development Authority and the Taleigao panchayat to file their replies in this case.
During the hearing, advocate Jamshed Ministry, appearing for TBA, told the court that the whole file relating to the sub-division plan approved in 1978 by TCP has been lost. Ministry told the court that Amit Juneja had applied under the Right to Information Act seeking the sub-division plan of the open space encroached upon by the builder. However, the TCP had replied that the file is missing from the department.

TBA's petition was taken up for hearing along with petitions filed by Juneja and Sudha Ladha alleging that the open space, earmarked in Nagalli and shown in the outline development plan of Taleigao village, was encroached by the builder. In the same case, the builder has filed an application praying for vacating the stay granted by the court on October 14 against the construction until further orders.

MINING WORK STRONGLY OPPOSED IN THE VILLAGE OF RIVONA

Strongly opposing mining activities in their village, Rishivan Gramvikas Kendra, Rivona, has pointed out that the site for an iron and manganese ore mine of a private party is on a hill which is the source of a total of around 18 to 20 springs, including the world famous 'Takazor'.

It is believed that the mine was operational around 40 years ago and since then till now no operations have been carried out on the mine."These springs are the only source of potable water for the entire population in the mining lease area and adjoining areas. They also irrigate a vast span of paddy fields, orchards and plantations,'' said P S Patil, a member of the organization.Patil, in a signed press statement, pointed out that "The rapid environment impact assessment and environment management plan report submitted by the proponent of the project is full of blatant lies and is totally fabricated to project our village as a backward area," he said.

ROYTS OPPOSE FERTILE LAND ACQUISITION IN FATRADE

Dozens of affected farmers under the banner of Goenche Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) on Wednesday gathered at Fatrade to voice their resentment to the recent acquisition of fertile, waterlogged paddy fields to construct a football ground for a school, which the farmers said, did not even exist.

The farmers vowed to unite against the project and indicated that they would not allow the proposed project to come up. GXE general secretary, Paulo Fernandes, demanded that the state revoke the order and return the land to the farmers immediately.
Fernandes explained, "Over 16,500 sq m of fertile paddy fields, which are being cultivated for ages, have been acquired. The land is naturally irrigated by fresh water bodies and is a low-lying area, about 1 km from the High Tide Line." He further said that the land is adjacent to a main flood water drain serving not only the village of Varca, but also the coastal stretch from Benaulim to Cavelossim.
"Additionally, these fields are a large retention pond which forms a crucial part of the ancient floodwater management system of Salcete taluka. These are highly eco-sensitive coastal wetlands, which must be conserved at all costs for the general ecological wellbeing of the village," said Fernandes.
Pointing to the social impact, he said that the fields are the sole means of sustenance to 17 families. "The villages of Fatrade, Varca and Benaulim are dependent on the said floodwater drain for drainage, and on the low-lying fields for retention, and therefore the said acquisition carries the danger of floods that will endanger residents lives in the future," he said.

LOCALS SAY VERNA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE A BANE

The state's prestigious Verna industrial estate has come under the scanner of villagers who say "Our lives have become miserable with the wanton depletion of groundwater, little land available for the future with the government continuing with land acquisitions, and the famous river Sal soon to be a part of history with the springs drying up”.
Voice of villagers - the organization spearheading the campaign, is extremely sore with the local Congress MLA of Loutolim, Aleixo Sequeira, who incidentally is also the environment minister. Representations before him are to no avail, lamented Edwin Pinto, convenor of the organization. Pinto said he has dashed letters to the GIDC strongly opposing land acquisition and making a strong plea before several authorities to prevent the acquisition of several thousand square metres of land.
Citing an instance of a whopping six lakh sq m of land proposed to be acquired in various phases in and around Verna, including land for a substation of the electricity department, Pinto said, in a letter to the MD, GIDC, "In this regard, we wish to register our objection to land acquisition on the Verna plateau, and in fact in the rest of the industrial estates in Goa, until the Regional Plan 2021 is finalized.'' Copies of the letter have been submitted to the chief town planner, to refrain from giving NOC for land acquisition, to the town and country planning department, Margao, for information and necessary action and to the collector, South Goa, to refrain from allotting land until the RP 2021 is notified and gazetted. The letter to the GIDC board of directors questions the "ongoing land acquisition,'' and states, "We also draw your attention to the fact that now that the SEZ land comprising over 35 lakh square metres will revert back to GIDC as per the decision of the Goa government published in the gazette of July 16, 2009, there appears to be no genuine reason for further land acquisition in the area.'' Pinto and others like Antonio Fernandes and John Philip of Cortalim and Nagoa pointed out further that there is hardly any buffer zone going to be left with the industrial units virtually eating into "our spaces." The development of the industrial area is in such a manner that it will soon merge with the residences of the villagers. "For example, the current boundary of Ms Lupin Ltd., is hardly 50 m away from the nearest residence," the letter to the GIDC board of directors states. Pinto said the increasing incidents of crime in the area were a cause of concern and so is the increase in the population of migrant labourers. Nagoa, Verna, Loutolim, Cortalim and Quelossim- the five villages that constitute Voice of Villagers-are grossly affected, said Judith Rebelo of Verna. "The health officials have even pointed out that wells in Consua village are getting contaminated with e-coli bacteria,'' she pointed out. Zerina Da Cunha from Nuvem expressed the immediate need to look into "around 200 illegal bore wells dug by the industrial units. Only a few say three to four could be legal,'' she said and added, "with so many illegal diggings, the ground water table has been affected grossly and there is a problem with supply of potable water. Earlier, the springs fed the villages and yes, we had the lovely river Sal. But now we can see the waterbodies shrinking and most dangerously several springs drying up."

BETUL LOCALS OPPOSE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

The Betul gram sabha on Sunday opposed the proposed industrial estate in the village.
The gram sabha later adopted a resolution demanding that all proposed development projects in the village be placed before the gram sabha for approval.

The latest move by the gram sabha is seen as a set back to Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar who has projected the proposed industrial estate at Betul as his pet project with state of the art facilities. It may be recalled that Kavlekar had changed the nomenclature of the project from 'food park' to 'industrial estate' following strong opposition from the Betul villagers.
The villagers demanded to know from sarpanch Vilona D'Silva whether any proposal regarding the proposed industrial estate was received by the panchayat. When D'Silva replied in the negative, the gram sabha members turned boisterous and accused the authorities of "thrusting" the project on the villagers "by keeping them in the dark."

CANSAULIM MEET TURNS STORMY OVER MEGA PROJECT WHICH LOCALS OPPOSE

The gram sabha of Cansaulim village panchayat turned stormy over the issue of a proposed mega project in the village. A lengthy verbal duel between the panchayat body and the gram sabha members over the issue finally resulted in the gram sabha unanimously adopting a resolution demanding that the panchayat conduct a scrutiny of the project by taking the gram sabha into confidence.
Villagers also placed on record the need to conduct an environment impact assessment of all proposed mega projects by the authorities before granting them the approvals.

Pointing out to an earlier gram sabha resolution that asked the panchayat body to place all proposed mega housing or commercial projects before the gram sabha for discussion, agitated members took the panchayat body to task for forwarding the file regarding the proposed project in question to the town and country planning (TCP) department by ignoring the gram sabha, thus "violating" the gram sabha resolution.
While proponents of the project maintained that the gram sabha had no powers to stop a mega project possessing all statutory approvals, the gram sabha members maintained that it was binding on the panchayats to implement all such gram sabha resolutions that were in consonance with the law.
"We are only demanding that the panchayat body, along with villagers, scrutinize the project before approvals are granted. We want to make sure that the demography of the village will not be affected and that the existing coastal rural infrastructure is not burdened by this project," a gram sabha member said.A resolution suggested that a resource management plan be formulated by the panchayat by taking into consideration the views of skilled and resourceful persons from the village with a view to "preserving the fragile coastal ecology" of the village. It was suggested that a committee be formed under the plan that will also be empowered to scrutinize any proposed mega housing or commercial projects coming up in the village.
The issue of a public road leading to the beach through the property of a starred resort also came up for discussions with the villagers expressing their strong resentment over beachgoers being frisked by the resort's security personnel.

FARMER PROTEST FERTILE LAND ACQUISITION FOR PLAYGROUND

Farmers protest land acquisition for playgrounds
The Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) held a peaceful dharna outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda on the occasion of the concluding day of the national school games being held at the venue.
The farmers' organization is protesting the "indiscriminate acquisition of fertile agricultural lands by the government to construct football grounds”.
"At present there are more than six football grounds in the village of Navelim, while there are, on an average, more than four grounds in each village. The grounds, invariably, lie unutilized, as no sportspersons frequent them. Some of the grounds, which need permission and a fee to be paid, are fenced and the gates are locked. There are fertile fields in Nuvem, Fatrade and Raia on the verge of acquisition for constructing football grounds," a GXE spokesperson said, justifying the stir.

CHICALIM LOCALS WANT DLF MEGA PROJECT SITE TO BE INSPECTED

The construction of a proposed mega project at Dabolim has raised the hackles of a section of villagers who have now complained to the Chicalim village panchayat about "several irregularities" and have demanded a site inspection by local authorities. A group of villagers confronted sarpanch Anacleto D'Souza over the matter and, upon submitting a written complaint against the "several irregularities" in the project demanded an impromptu site inspection by the panchayat. D'Souza, it is learnt, expressed his helplessness in acceding to their demands "without serving notice upon the builder", but assured to look into the allegations.

According to a complaint lodged by one of the villagers, Edwin Mascarenhas, the promoters of the project are digging borewells in their fenced property "without taking necessary permissions" from panchayat authorities. Mascarenhas, it is learnt, also lodged a complaint with the forest department alleging massive tree felling in the area. The officials of the department conducted a site inspection. Asked to comment on the findings of the inspection, M K Shambhu, deputy conservator of forests, south Goa, said that they were in the process of "verifying if there were any violations of approvals" obtained by the party.
Speaking to TOI, sarpanch Anacleto D'Souza maintained that the promoters of the project have obtained all relevant approvals from the statutory authorities, including the panchayat. "However, as the panchayat had not given them permission to dig borewells, I orally instructed the builder to stop the work. Though they promptly stopped the construction of borewells following my instructions, they have submitted an application to the panchayat for allowing them to construct borewells. The proposal will be placed before the panchayat body meeting soon and an appropriate decision will be taken," D'Souza said.
As for the villagers' complaint, D'Souza said the panchayat would verify the facts "by following all laid-down procedures". "We will ask the builder to come along with all relevant documents and, if it is found necessary, we will fix a date for the site inspection," he said.

SUDDALE LOCALS IRKED BY FISH PROCESSING PANT ACTIVITIES

Residents of Subdale near Barcem in Quepem taluka are up in arms against a fish processing unit in the village and have accused it of polluting the natural water resources in the area.

Rallying under the banner of United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA), Subdale residents on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the South Goa district collector demanding closure of the fish processing unit. UTAA in its memorandum pointed out that fish drying activities were being carried out in the open by the fish processing unit without putting in place any anti-pollution measures.
"These highly polluting activities have caused contamination of natural ground water resources as all rejects, including rotten material, find their way into the streams and rivulets flowing through the village. As this forms the principal source of drinking water for the villagers, the fish processing unit has turned out to be a major health hazard for the locals," UTAA president Prakash Velip told reporters.

Pointing out that some 35 villagers had lost their lives under strange circumstances, Velip demanded that the health authorities conduct a study to ascertain the exact cause of the deaths.
"The villagers have reasons to believe that the deaths occurred due to very high levels of pollution. Subdale village has turned out to be a pollution zone. Apart from the fish-drying activities -- that emit extremely foul smell and contaminate water resources -- there also exist several stone crushing units in the vicinity that cause dust pollution," Velip told .
Mhalu Gaonkar, a Sabdule resident warned that the villagers would be forced to take to the streets if the authorities fail to heed to their complaints immediately.
"We have brought this to the notice of the authorities several times, but to no avail. Some 35 people from Subdale have lost their lives so far, and we believe that the deaths occurred primarily due to consumption of contaminated water. All our complaints to the government authorities, including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, have gone unheeded," an agitated Gaonkar told , adding that "the dust from the stone crushing units has affected the horticultural plantations in the village".

NAGALLI LOCALS SAY OPEN SPACE BEING ENCROACHED

Space earmarked in Nagalli for recreational purposes and shown as such in the outline development plan (ODP) for Taleigao village has been allegedly encroached upon by a builder for commercial purposes, some villagers have charged.
The open space was reserved by the developer of this complex in Nagalli for a park, playground and recreational area as per the subdivisional plan okayed in phase II of SMK complex,” a resident said, alleging that the builder has “encroached into 285 m of the open space so far”.

The construction activities started in August 2009, but before the nearby residents could initiate any redressal mechanism, the builder allegedly started digging pits for construction purpose after clearing bushes and trees. A source close to the builder, however told that the open space does exist, but part of it has been encroached upon by others.“The boundary of the open space starts from the eastern side of his plot of 2,200 sq m,” the source said. Stating that there is no violation of any rule, the source added that the conversion sanad and all requisite licences are in order.
Meanwhile, a resident of the area alleged, “The North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) had granted permissions for the project in plot No. 78 without proper verification of documents. The work is being carried out beyond the plot area in the open space”
Annand Madgavkar, president of Taleigao Bachao Abhiyan, added, “There is reason to believe that there is an encroachment on the open space.” Some villagers had approached TBA about the encroachment. “The open space is clearly shown as recreational space in the finalized Taleigao ODP,” Madgavkar said. Stating that eco-sensitive areas earmarked in the Regional Plan 2021 have been shown as commercial areas and roads, Madgavkar added that files of many controversial constructions are also missing from the TCP department. Meanwhile, explaining the “confusion”, the source close to the builder explained that the sub-division of plots in the area was approved in 1977 and subsequently revised in 1986 after the laying of overhead power lines. “The 15% open space concept came into reality only in 1983,” the source said, adding that some persons purchased properties only in 2004. With regard the ODP, the source said that the dimensions of the open space are not shown in it properly. The realignment in 1986 was done due to location of overhead wires, the source added. NGPDA member secretary Ashok Kumar said the matter is sub-judice. “As per legal opinion, the high court has directed that the work be stopped and the party concerned has to abide by it.” He conceded that if the open space has been shown in the ODP, it has to be maintained. Stating that the licence was issued on the basis of the revised sub-division in 1986, Kumar said, “If there is any misrepresentation of facts, we will revoke the licence.” Meanwhile, vacation judge of Bombay high court at Goa, Justice U D Salvi, while hearing an application moved by the builder in connection with an original petition alleging encroachment of open space filed by Amit Juneja and Sudha Ladha, passed an order on Wednesday stating that the interim stay on the construction granted on October 14 will continue till further orders. The next date of hearing has been fixed for November 4 and all respondents have been directed to file their replies.The petitioners have alleged that the encroachment by the builder “is affecting their proprietary, easementary and other rights” as the area was reserved for recreational facilities.They have further alleged that the permission was granted for plot No. 78 by the authorities including NGPDA without proper verification of documents.

CRZ ISSUE :COURT WANTS DETAILS OF PENDING APPEALS

The high court of Bombay at Goa directed the directorate of panchayats (DoP) to file an affidavit giving details about appeals pending before it with regards to structures in the no development zone (NDZ), in violation of the 1991CRZ notification.

The bench also made it clear that the affidavit should give details of the number of appeals, of any stay granted with regard to the structures, as also the survey number, nature of the structure and area of the structure. The division bench comprising Justices S B Deshmukh and U D Salvi passed the directives during the hearing of a suo motu writ petition regarding the CRZ violations along the state’s coastal belt. The petition challenges the constructions carried out after the CRZ regulations came into effect on February 19, 1991. Amicus curiae Norma Alvares told the court that affidavits had been filed by most coastal panchayats as per earlier court directives, but it appeared that a few panchayats had not done so as she had not received copies. The court directed the coastal panchayats that had not filed their affidavits to do so before the next date of hearing, which is November 10, while serving a copy on the amicus curiae. Sudesh Usgaonkar appearing for Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) informed the court that the CMC had identified and demolished 48 structures within their jurisdiction.
Alvares also pointed out that most of the panchayats have issued demolition orders to illegal structures, but none have actually carried out any demolitions. Owners of most of the structures approach the DoP and get a stay on the demolition orders, she said.

GOVERNMENT,TRUST LAY CLAIM ON PRIME LAND IN MIRAMAR

The department of science and technology and a private trust have both laid claim to a plot at Miramar close to the land earmarked for an ocenarium. The North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) and Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), on the other hand, are blaming each other for giving licence to Sai Baba Family Trust to start work on a residential-cum-commercial building at the site.
“It is an encroachment on our property,” Michael D’Souza, director science and technology department, told after an inspection of the site. “We will file a detailed complaint to the police attaching the inspection report,” he said.
NGPDA member secretary Ashok Kumar said the approval has now lapsed, but it had been granted based on a provisional outline development plan (ODP). “It is up to the CCP to check property documents while granting construction licence,” he added. But CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes said they had issued it on the basis of approvals granted by NGPDA.
“The permission was valid till 26 October, 2009—three years after it was granted,” Kumar said. “He (promoter of the trust) submitted a letter for renewal on October 23, 2009, but it cannot be renewed as it is an institutional area. However, Shyam Luthria, one of the trustees said, “It is my property, and I have purchased it through a sale deed from the owner, and it is registered before the registrar of Panaji.” When pointed out that NGPDA has stated that approval granted by it has lapsed, he said. “It was a prior commitment, and I have made commitments to my clients on the basis of that,” adding that he would take action as directed by his legal advisors.
When pointed out that the approval was provisional and subject to finalization of the ODP, Luthria said, “They may say many things now, but these are legal issues.”

CHICALIM LOCALS WANT DLF PROJECT SITE TO BE INSPECTED

The construction of a proposed mega project at Dabolim has raised the hackles of a section of villagers who have now complained to the Chicalim village panchayat about "several irregularities" and have demanded a site inspection by local authorities. A group of villagers confronted sarpanch Anacleto D'Souza over the matter and upon submitting a written complaint against the "several irregularities" in the project demanded an impromptu site inspection by the panchayat. D'Souza, it is learnt, expressed his helplessness in acceding to their demands "without serving notice upon the builder", but assured to look into the allegations.
According to a complaint lodged by one of the villagers, Edwin Mascarenhas, the promoters of the project are digging borewells in their fenced property "without taking necessary permissions" from panchayat authorities.
Mascarenhas, it is learnt, also lodged a complaint with the forest department alleging massive tree felling in the area. officials of the department conducted a site inspection. Asked to comment on the findings of the inspection, M K Shambhu, deputy conservator of forests, south Goa, said that they were in the process of "verifying if there were any violations of approvals" obtained by the party.
sarpanch Anacleto D'Souza maintained that the promoters of the project have obtained all relevant approvals from the statutory authorities, including the panchayat. "However, as the panchayat had not given them permission to dig borewells, I orally instructed the builder to stop the work. Though they promptly stopped the construction of borewells following my instructions, they have submitted an application to the panchayat for allowing them to construct borewells. The proposal will be placed before the panchayat body meeting soon and an appropriate decision will be taken," D'Souza said.
As for the villagers' complaint, D'Souza said the panchayat would verify the facts "by following all laid-down procedures". "We will ask the builder to come along with all relevant documents and, if it is found necessary, we will fix a date for the site inspection," he said.

RYOTS OPPOSE ACQUISITION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR KALA BHAVAN IN MAPUSA

The proposed Kala Bhavan project at Mapusa has run into trouble. A group of Mapusa farmers under the banner of Sridev Bodgeshwar shetkari samiti have presented a representation to the Bardez deputy collector opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for the proposed Kala Bhavan opposite the Mapusa police station. Their contention is that it will affect their livelihoods.
The land acquisition process is underway with the government having already notified section IV for acquiring around 8,000 square metres of land in paddy fields. However, having realized that 8,000 square metres will be insufficient, the government is now planning to acquire another 14,000 square metres at the same place.
Bardez deputy collector D Redkar inspected the site along with a representative of the department of art and culture. Redkar has fixed the public hearing for affected persons for Wednesday afternoon. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza has expressed sympathy with the farmers. Pointing to the fact that the government now wants to acquire additional land that is more than double the original area sought to be acquired, D'Souza said it shows that the government's original estimate was wrong. He offered two solutions to the problem. One is to build the Kala Bhavan on land which has already been acquired by the government for the purpose near St Xavier's college. The second is to acquire twice the land required for the Kala Bhavan, use half for the project and give the other half to the affected tenants. "The cultivators have to be compensated. You cannot deny the cultivators the only asset they have. You can also compensate by paying them market rates," D'Souza said. D'Souza pointed out that the government was wrong in acquiring agricultural land when it already has in its possession around 20,000 square metres of land near St Xavier's college. "The Supreme Court has said governments should not acquire agricultural land. So what is the point in acquiring agricultural land when you already have land near St Xavier's?" He also said that with most people having vehicles, going up the hill would not be a problem.

SINQUETIM LOCALS UPPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE

Agitation is simmering in Sinquetim with villagers vowing to oppose the proposed construction of a bridge linking Benaulim to Sinquetim on the grounds that the bridge is "unnecessary and is being thrust upon the villagers".
Scores of villagers assembled at the site to denounce attempts by the government to commence the construction of the bridge, the foundation stone for which was laid in March 2008. The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 9 crore.

What apparently spurred the villagers to protest was the movement of lorries carrying construction material towards the site . Villagers had then confronted the personnel involved in the activities and subsequently driven them away. They are irked over the moves of the authorities in going ahead with the land acquisition proceedings for the project despite the village gram sabha adopting a resolution placing on record its objection towards the bridge.
Addressing the media , villagers expressed their determination to thwart any attempts to build the bridge that would entail "destruction of the fragile environment that will subsequently be fraught with danger to the lives of the villagers". Avertano Furtado, speaking to reporters, questioned the necessity of the 12m span bridge when another was proposed to be built hardly a few metres away. "Besides destroying the mangroves in the area and causing loss to fertile agricultural land, there will be an increased movement of heavy vehicular traffic over the bridge, leading to sound and dust pollution, thus disturbing the tranquillity of the village," Furtado said.
Advocate Anacleto Veigas, while addressing reporters, questioned the legality of the land acquisition process, stating that the villagers were kept in the dark over the matter. The villagers have now decided to hold a silent protest morcha to the South Goa collectorate soon to express their opposition to the proposed project.

SINQUETIM LOCALS UP IN ARMS AGAINST PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE

Agitation is simmering in Sinquetim with villagers vowing to oppose the proposed construction of a bridge linking Benaulim to Sinquetim on the grounds that the bridge is "unnecessary and is being thrust upon the villagers".
Scores of villagers assembled at the site to denounce attempts by the government to commence the construction of the bridge, the foundation stone for which was laid in March 2008. The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 9 crore.
What apparently spurred the villagers to protest was the movement of lorries carrying construction material towards the site . Villagers had then confronted the personnel involved in the activities and subsequently driven them away. They are irked over the moves of the authorities in going ahead with the land acquisition proceedings for the project despite the village gram sabha adopting a resolution placing on record its objection towards the bridge.
Addressing the media , The villagers expressed their determination to thwart any attempts to build the bridge that would entail "destruction of the fragile environment that will subsequently be fraught with danger to the lives of the villagers". Avertano Furtado, speaking to reporters, questioned the necessity of the 12m span bridge when another was proposed to be built hardly a few metres away. "Besides destroying the mangroves in the area and causing loss to fertile agricultural land, there will be an increased movement of heavy vehicular traffic over the bridge, leading to sound and dust pollution, thus disturbing the tranquillity of the village," Furtado said.
Advocate Anacleto Veigas, while addressing reporters, questioned the legality of the land acquisition process, stating that the villagers were kept in the dark over the matter. The villagers have now decided to hold a silent protest morcha to the South Goa collectorate soon to express their opposition to the proposed project.

CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PANAJI PLANS SLUM ON ITS PROPERTY

In electoral politics numbers hold the key. And that key can open doors to a new residence. A group of illegal hutments at Miramar is set to face demolition of October 14 ,2009. These are the same hutments that then city commissioner Sanjiv Gadkar had tried to raze last year and was kicked out of office for his audacity.
But now, things are a bit different. The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) which is readying to demolish this slum along the St Inez nullah is, ironically, preparing at the same time to give the hutment dwellers a new address—on CCP property in Camarabhat-Taleigao. The CCP has written to the deputy collector requisitioning a demolition squad and machinery for the purpose, and the slum dwellers have packed their bags to move to Camarabhat. However, CCP ruling panel boss and Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate said, “I’m not aware of this.” City mayor Carolina Po was unavailable for comment.

QUEPEM MUNCIPAL COUNCIL GREEN SIGNAL FOR MINING TRUCKS IRKS LOCALS

Apparently bowing to pressure from the mining lobby and the mineral ore transporters association, the Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) finally granted permission for the movement of mining trucks through the town, much to the chagrin of the residents.
At its meeting held recently, the QMC, after deliberating at length on a letter by the mineral ore transporters' association requesting that mining trucks be allowed to ply through Quepem, adopted a resolution granting "conditional approval" for movement of mining trucks. The municipal council has warned transporters that the approval would stand withdrawn if the transporters were found flouting guidelines framed by the transport department with regards to mineral ore transportation.
It may be noted that the QMC had taken a tough stand against mineral ore transportation through the thoroughfares of Quepem, with the city fathers pledging their support to the residents in the anti-mining transport agitation. The Quepem residents had threatened to block all mining transportation through the town on the grounds that haphazard mining transportation through the town posed safety hazard to the lives of the people, besides causing intolerable dust and noise pollution. Interestingly, the Quepem MLA, Chandrakant Kavlekar, had also expressed his strong disapproval over the movement of mining trucks through Quepem and had blamed the transporters for their failure in prevailing upon the government to construct a bypass road for mining transportation. Justifying its change in stance, the chairperson of the QMC, Lydia D'Costa, stated that the livelihoods of many Quepem residents were dependent on transport business and thus any decision to bar movement of trucks without making any alternative arrangements for transportation would amount to injustice on the locals.