On 24 September 2024 several hundred people from Divar island submitted petition to the Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch to hold urgent extraordinary Gram Sabha to discussion several issues that calls of a seat at the table.
Petition was also served on Director of Panchayat as well as Tiswadi Block Development Officer (BDO). BDO responded quickly the next day on 25th September 2024 and directed Navelim-Goltim Panchayat to act under section 5 of Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994.
Sarpanch of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat however has got Secretary Tukaram J. Naik to address the letter to the residents of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat that single issue of seminal importance was already addressed by the extraordinary Gram sabha called by Panchayat on 29th September 2024 even before villagers submitted the letter.
Even though single issue was addressed at the Gram Sabha involving 20 swiss cottages eco-tourism project near the Our Lady of Piety Church in land aquired from the communidade half a century ago the other 14 issues did not find the space to deliberate, discuss and decide upon at that Gram Sabha. They are therefore lingering as an open wounds of Divar Island and Goltim- Navelim Panchayat is totally responsible for this tragedy.
Indeed it is tragic case where in those who were elected to serve public are bossing over under delusion that they are masters. Ring leader of this autocratic gang is none other than Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch who is indulging in disrespecting Public requests thereby preventing empowered and informed development of Divar Island.
As a protest against the Goltim-Navelim Panchayat decision not to call for extraordinary Gram Sabha dealing with Village issue we share here all the 15 issues with you so that they are not pushed under the carpet by the Panchayat but remain alive in public memory to inflame daring yet wise actions as Divar Manifesto:
1. Diwar being declared as a Tourism Village by the Goa Tourism Department, under the implementation of “Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021” to be rejected outright .
2. Housing Projects in our Village to be strictly dealt with considering the carrying capacity of our Village.
3. Pilot Project for Mangrove Restoration in our Village on cultivable Khazan lands.
4. Eco Tourism Project by Goa Tourism Department in their property next to the Our Lady of Piety Church.
5. Oppose the construction of bridge linking Divar Island to Vanxim Island as announced by Hon’ble Chief Minister at the recent Bonderam festival.
6. Enforcement of the outer bunds of Goltim and Navelim by planting mangroves along the river banks to be taken up on war footing by utilizing the services of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority so as to prevent breaches in bunds.
7. The Water Sports activities approved by the Goa Tourism Department along our Village boundary in the river Mandovi
8. Demolition of illegal construction of MRF shed in Panchayat property without leaving the mandatory setback in the vicinity of Lord Redeemer’s Chapel.
9. Filing of FIR against unknown persons for the unauthorized and rampant land filling taking place with construction debris specially along road side with the Panchayat authorities remaining silent spectators. The land be restored to its original.
10. Inundation of Khazan lands in Goltim-Navelim by saline water.
11. Progress Report Card alongwith the list of Committee Members of various Village Development Committees of the Panchayat appointed for the betterment of our Village be placed before the Gram Sabha for discussion.
12. The sorry state of Public Utilities in our Village including regulated Public water supply, frequent Electricity failures, Speed Breakers and erection of Traffic Sign Boards, frequent Ferry breakdowns, non-availability Doctor during nights and other essential public utilities.
13. Mandatory registration of Migrant population residing in our village in rental premises.
14. Review of completed/ongoing projects specially those undertaken by outsiders and approved by TCP Department as the functioning of the TCP Department itself is under scanner.
15. Action on illegal encroachment seen on land owned by this Panchayat on Ribandar side next to the Divar-Ribandar ferry jetty.
Each of the above points are very important and deserve place on the agenda of Gram Sabha. Avoiding to hold Gram Sabha disrespecting hundreds of signatories indicate ulterior motives of the Sarpanch and other members supporting him including those from RSS.
People of Divar must take charge of the destiny of our beautiful island and not allow Mario Pinto and his minions to take islanders hostages with throttled voices. They must note that the day people will rise up their status will be powerless. Time to assert is now! Stranglehold of the nasty ones deserves to be shattered asunder now! We have nothing to lose except our misery and years! How long single Pinto to dominate Divar? How long he is to insult the islanders?
