Adv Carlos seeks restoration of panchayat powers to decline mega project licences
PANAJI: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Monday called for the strengthening of local bodies like panchayats when it comes to decision making instead of trying to take their powers away.
Speaking during the demand for grants to the panchayat department, Adv Ferreira said village panchayat bodies must have the power to reject a construction licence if they believe that it is not in the interest of the village rather than being overruled by the BDO, the TCP or higher authorities in the department.
“Gram sabhas across the state are making noise about carrying capacities and also mega projects which are coming along with commercial projects. Our villages are the old traditional villages. We have old narrow roads, demography which will change, and our people will be displaced. We are already suffering with so many shortages of electricity, water and other things,” Adv Carlos said.
“You’ve already amended the panchayati raj act which if the panchayat doesn’t decide within 30 days the file itself is taken and given to the BDO and they will pass it. I believe you should strengthen the panchayats to allow the panchayats in respect of mega projects, big housing and commercial projects so that panchayats and urban bodies can have the right to take a decision in their interest. You’ll have to bring an amendment to allow this,” he added.
Speaking on the issue of transport, Adv Ferreira questioned the absence of reliable bus transport, the lack of bus shelters, the lack of information on bus timings and the failure to enforce major traffic violations like drunk driving, and publishing data regarding unpaid offences publicly.
“The government has taken a decision of publishing data of traffic defaulters of traffic fines on the website. This, according to me, is an invasion of the privacy of the individuals. What are traffic fines as compared to multicrore loans that corporations have taken from banks? Those people’s names are hidden but those who have to pay 500-1000 are being published like this,” Ferreira said.
He also questioned how the government could levy fines that were more than six months old, when the law itself says that if an offence is more than six months old is time barred.
“The law is very simple. You need to file the complaint in the court within six months. I can stand up and say your case is time barred. How can you put that on a website saying that you are a defaulter. It is your fault for not prosecuting (the violatiors),” he also said.
With regards to the Industries Department he flagged the issues raised by the CAG into the functioning of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation.
“We don’t know who the beneficiaries were. We don’t know who was in the decision making process. Were those who were going to benefit, were participating in it? Could the BoD be so blind, ignorant and trying to finish off the corporation. I think an FIR needs to be filed and the money recovered,” Adv Ferreira said.
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