the goan I network
MAPUSA
Parts of Assagao continue to receive poor water supply, even as the local panchayat appears to be helpless in resolving the issue.
In the last gram sabha, just three months ago, acting on the demand of the villagers the Sarpanch Jallineder Gaonkar had decided to write to PWD (water) executive engineer to take immediate steps to resolve the water problem.
Obviously, nothing has happened in the last three months as locals once again raised the issue of poor water supply in the gram sabha meeting on Sunday and pleaded with the panchayat to take some measures to resolve the problem.
A local, Gregory, suggested that PWD should charge extra to people who give rooms on rent, as locals are deprived of water.
Another villager, Owen Braganza, said that the diameter of the pipeline supplying water from the overhead tank was very small and it has to be replaced with a larger diameter pipeline.
The villagers urged the panchayat to take up the issue with PWD officials and local MLA and WRD Minister Vinoda Paliencar to resolve the long-pending issue of poor water supply.
Sarpanch Gaonkar assured the villagers he will call a joint meeting of officials from different departments to resolve the issue.
“We will soon convene a meeting with officials and the minister to find a lasting solution to the problem of water supply to several parts of the village,” Gaonkar said.
Several parts of the village like Munang, Badem, Bounta-vaddo and Sokoilo-vaddo have been facing water supply problem for a very long time and the issue was raised at the gram sabha meetings several times in the past.
A local, Shivaji Gad, informed that some people had contempt to the law of the land and were found constructing compound walls close to the road without leaving space for road setback.
He also said that the panchayat was found wanting in taking action against such people.
Owen Braganza said whenever a construction license was issued the panchayat should ensure that setback was maintained so that at least road shoulders were free from encumbrances.
The village panchayat budget for 2019-20 was placed for discussion at the meeting and the gram sabha later approved it.
