Members question unrealistic budget estimates for 2025-26; villagers raise concerns over drinking water, Leprosy hospital land
The gram sabha of the Curtorim village panchayat chaired by Sarpanch Alcinho D’Silva on Sunday.
MARGAO
The Curtorim gram sabha discussed a host of issues on Sunday ranging from budget estimates for the 2025-26 financial year, the bio-diversity heritage site issue, the status of the Leprosy hospital land, drinking water and sanitation issues.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Alcinho D’Silva discussed about the bio-diversity heritage site in Curtorim, after the Grievance Committee meeting held on December 5 last year had recommended revision of the existing plan with the help of DSLR and in consultation with stakeholders based on grievances raised, showing only the BHS area in village Curtorim with only the BHS legends on the map.
The Grievance Committee had further recommended revision of the area statement with survey numbers, with the minutes saying the plan must be endorsed by gram sabha, the village panchayat, and BMC before submission to GSBB for notifying BHS in village Curtorim.
Gram sabha member Rupesh Shinkre later told the media that the minutes of the Grievance Committee and the recommendations ought to have been discussed first at the BMC and the panchayat body before placing the same at the gram sabha. He said even the minutes of the Grievance Committee meeting were given to him only on Sunday morning as he called for discussion on the BHS status for Curtorim at the next gram sabha.
The panchayat also passed the budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26, but members picked up holes in the estimates, terming the budget as unrealistic. Members demanded to know why the funds allocated for the Scheduled Tribes in last year’s budget were not utilised and the basis for increase in the outlay in the next budget.
Gram sabha member J Santan Rodrigues demanded to know the status of shifting of the MDR-39 road from Curtorim market. He also demanded to know current status of the Leprosy Complex lands in Curtorim and whether there are any plans for development or rehabilitation of the area.
Gram sabha member Moreno Rebello sought clarification from Sarpanch Alcinho D’Silva about his press conference along with Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo wherein he was accused for painting the panchayat in bad light for asking the sarpanch about the new facilities in the upcoming Curtorim Primary Healthcare Centre and for asking about the correspondence about 67,000 sqm of NDS being converted into settlement zones.
Moreno also asked about the shortage of drinking water in Curtorim and lack of sanitation facilities to which the sarpanch promised to coordinate with the departments about the same.
