Cortalim VP should have taken farmers into confidence: Vas

VASCO: Cortalim Zilla Panchayat member Antonio Vas, on Monday, said that Cortalim panchayat should have taken the farmers into confidence before suggesting the government to temporarily acquire fields along the new Zuari bridge construction site to prevent major traffic diversion from Cortalim junction to Toyota Showroom towards Verna.

Speaking to this daily, Vas, who is also the president of Cortalim Farmers Club and chairman of Cortalim Communidade Tenant Association said that the Cortalim panchayat must have considered the opinion of all the farmers before placing a proposal before the government for the acquisition of fields of the farmers, who are solely dependent on cultivation of paddy and vegetables for their livelihood.

“It was the duty of the panchayat authorities to hold discussion with the  farmers on the issue,” he said. He said that being ZP member of Cortalim he was not intimated by the Cortalim panchayat about the matter.

“The panchayat should have informed everybody and sought their views and suggestions,” he said.

He raised question over the restoration of the fields after being utilised for the  service road construction.

“It will be difficult to restore the fields to their original state once they are filled with mud and stones,” he said.

“The panchayat must have considered all the things in the benefit of the farmers while placing the proposal for the acquisition of fields before the government authorities,” he added.

He also raised question over the houses which are located on the either sides of the under construction new Zuari Bridge, from First Aravale to Cortalim junction,  and went on to question the safety of the households while the girders being laid.

“I will also hold a meeting with the farmers  whose fields will be affected, after January 2 and will give my opinion over the proposal for acquiring the fields,” said Vas.