MARGAO
The outbreak of cholera and the death of a migrant worker at the fish landing centre at Mobor dominated the gram sabha of the Cavelossim village panchayat on Sunday.
Chaired by Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, the meeting was attended by Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and a large number of villagers.
The meeting saw some of the gram sabha members calling for a stop to the fishing activities at the landing centre taking into account the health of the local populace. Sarpanch Dixon and the Benaulim MLA, however, argued that closure of the activity is not a solution to the issue.
They pointed out that the fishing activity can be operated at the fish landing centre through proper regulation and with SOP in respect of the health, security, sanitation of the workers employed on the fishing vessels. Members, however, raised fears that implementing the SOP at the fish landing centre will bestow legal status on the activity, considering the fact that the activity has been challenged in the courts.
In fact, one of the gram sabha members pointed out that a fish operator has violated the condition of the Fisheries department vis-à-vis the title. Both the Sarpanch and the MLA contended that the local panchayat has no power to act in this matter since it falls in the government domain.
After much discussion at the meeting, which witnessed tempers running high with some members demanding action against migrant labourers engaged in all activities, including water sports, the sarpanch announced that the panchayat would come up with guidelines for the labourers employed in the village. He said the SOP would cover the health of the workers, besides sanitation and safety and security of the local populace.
The Benaulim MLA later told the media that the government has failed in ensuring the health of the migrant workers since health is controlled by the Health department. He said the government is trying to hide and manipulate things to cover up their failure.
“I believe in one thing that the industry should grow and the government has to provide the bare minimum facilities,” Venzy said.
