Sunday, 10 April 2005. To, The Governor of Goa, Panaji. Goa.
Your Excellency, The construction is still on...and going full steam ahead. The construction, which is the beginning of the destruction of the Salmona Spring Conservation Zone has still not been stopped by you. You have the powers to impose a temporary injunction through an Executive Order, Mr. Jamir. We appeal to you, yet again, to use them. The Director of Panchayats also has the powers. The Dy. Collector (North) also has the powers. The Mamlatdar also has the powers. The Block Development Officer also has the powers. All are Judicial Officers. And the Saligao Panchayat also has the powers to revoke the construction licence. But alas...political, administrative and judicial will is lacking to temporarily stop the construction. Right now, it is the will of corruption that powers the construction and destruction at Salmona. Ironically, the people of Saligao who do not have any judicial powers vested in them, stopped the construction once. They took over the site and held a peaceful 'dharna' there on 25 March 2005. Because it could become a law and order situation, the Calangute Police had to call in the Mamlatdar of Bardez to put a temporary halt to the construction, pending the revocation and acquisition. But because corrupt, vested interests at the lower levels of your bureaucracy were stalling the revocation and acquisition, the construction has started again - with a vengence and arrogance that comes from raw, money power. Does your bureaucracy have the judicial and administrative will to temporarily stop the construction? Do the people of Saligao need to come out again to peacefully stop it? They will, if no action is forthcoming from the government to stop the wanton destruction of the only natural heritage spot they have left. We await your immediate intervention, NOW, on site. Hopefully, Muriel & Mario. -- .................................................... muriel & mario, 4/4 tabravaddo, opp. st. anne's chapel, saligao. bardez. goa. 403511. tel: 0832-278276 / 2409999 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''