http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7777-swimming-pool-issue-rocks-assagao-gram-sabha -
Swimming pool issue rocks Assagao gram sabha <http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7777-swimming-pool-issue-rocks-assagao-gram-sabha-> Written by NT Network Monday, 25 January 2010 01:22 - <http://www.navhindtimes.in/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5uYXZoaW5kdGltZXMuaW4vbmV3cy9nb2EtbmV3cy83Nzc3LXN3aW1taW5nLXBvb2wtaXNzdWUtcm9ja3MtYXNzYWdhby1ncmFtLXNhYmhhLQ%3D%3D> [image: smaller text tool icon]<http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7777-swimming-pool-issue-rocks-assagao-gram-sabha-#> [image: medium text tool icon]<http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7777-swimming-pool-issue-rocks-assagao-gram-sabha-#> [image: larger text tool icon]<http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7777-swimming-pool-issue-rocks-assagao-gram-sabha-#> MAPUSA: The Assagao gram sabha that was held on Sunday to discuss important issues pertaining to development and garbage disposal took an unusual turn when villagers objected to construction of swimming pools by influential people settled in Assagao. The villagers said that already the village was facing acute water shortage and to add to their misery large scale constructions along with swimming pools had been permitted by the panchayat in spite of earlier opposition to the same. They said at present there were nearly 15 swimming pools in the entire village and the panchayat should take this matter very seriously. However, the sarpanch, Mr Pradeep Naik sought to wash his hands off the matter saying that all approvals for swimming pools were given by the earlier sarpanch, Mr Victor D’Souza. In the midst of this discussion, a villager pointed out that a large bungalow was coming up in Mazalwaddo just at the foot of the hill and had no proper access but with a provision for a swimming pool, and also did not display the required approval board. Suspecting gross irregularities in this project, the villagers wondered what action the panchayat was planning to take if irregularities in the project came to the fore. Local panch, Mr Ajit Sawant at this juncture informed the gram sabha that the said bungalow belonged to the Chief Minister of Haryana. The members on hearing this became agitated and questioned the panchayat as to why there were double standards - one set of rules for influential persons and another for the lay persons. A villager, Mr Clayton Fonseca then demanded immediate revocation of the licence, if any, that has been issued by the panchayat to the concerned party and asked the sarpanch to take necessary action. Mr Naik obliged and said that he would go in accordance with the wishes of the gram sabha and send a notice to the party. Mr Sawant, meanwhile, blamed prominent real estate dealers from Assagao, who were buying and selling land to outsiders. He wondered why in the first place local residents were selling or were instrumental in selling the village land to outsiders. Besides this issue that took considerable time, the garbage issue was also hotly discussed. Villagers also pointed out to large scale garbage that was openly being dumped along Assagao roads. The sarpanch, informing the villagers that the work on acquiring a garbage site at Badem was underway, said that on his part he was ready to take all necessary steps to tackle this menace. He also called upon the people to complain either to him or to the police if anyone was found dumping garbage. Among those who participated in the discussion were Ms Lourdes Sudhir, Mr Owen Braganza and other villagers. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 8. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/