PONDA
The Borim gram sabha on Sunday resolved to urge the government and tax authorities to abolish the Goods and Service Tax (GST) on tiatrs, dramas and entertainment programme.
The gram sabha, presided by Sarpanch Bhavana Naik, discussed several issues. Panchayat Secretary Prasad Naik was also present.
Deputy Sarpanch Costancio Luis proposed the resolution to abolish GST on Tiatrs and dramas. He said GST on entertainment programmes will strain the artistes and producers in this field.
There are tiatrists and drama stage artistes in Borim village in Shiroda constituency. The villagers also supported the resolution after discussing the issue.
Speaking to The Goan, Luis said if government wants to encourage youth in the field of art and culture, then GST should be pardoned.
"How they will get encouragement if programmes come under the ambit of GST? It should be abolished," he said.
The Borim gram sabha also resolved to oppose coal transportation and nationalisation of rivers.
The villagers raised concern over coal transportation, which they said will affect health of the public.
Locals object to suggestions of OCI
PONDA: Chaos prevailed at Borim gram sabha when an ‘Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)', who is from Borim village and represents Borim Development Trust, was told to leave the gram sabha by the locals.
The OCI had given many suggestions in the gram sabha, to which some took objections. He was told to leave the gram sabha and the situation became calm only after he left the hall.
According to sources, he had suggested road widening at essential places, but some locals opposed the suggestion and told the gram sabha that he is OCI and has no right to speak at the gram sabha.
There were mixed reactions from the gram sabha members.
"This person is working for betterment of Borim village. This was not the way to treat him," a villager said.
