MAPUSA
A subdued Parra gram sabha witnessed a brief discussion on garbage tax with former sarpanch, Benedict D’Souza, terming the panchayat’s decision to collect the tax even before the door-to-door waste collection system was put in place as “loot” and “daylight robbery.”
Less than 20 members were present at the gram sabha which lasted a little over 20 minutes.
The lone dissenting voice among the group gathered for the gram sabha, former sarpanch, Benedict said, “The panchayat is yet to put door-to-door garbage collection system in place, but has started collecting Rs 500 garbage tax from the public. This is nothing but loot, daylight robbery,” D’Souza said.
Sarpanch Delilah Lobo admitted that the panchayat could not finalize the tender for door-to-door waste collection, as the amount quoted by the contractor was more than what was budgeted.
She also informed that procedures to obtain the necessary extra funds have now been completed and door-to-door waste collection would begin very soon.
“The Director of Panchayat suggested to us to prepare supplementary budget which has already been done. The work will be tendered and door-to-door waste collection will start soon,” Lobo assured the gram sabha.
The sarpanch informed that the garbage contractor quoted Rs 27 lakh per annum for door-to-door collection in the village while with 2,000 households in the village the panchayat could fetch only Rs 10 lakh by way of garbage tax.
“The budget for waste collection exceeded the amount we had fixed in the panchayat budget. We had to present a supplementary budget to adjust the extra amount which has been done now,” she said.
Replying to another query of a gram sabha member, the sarpanch said all commercial units were charged just like the individual households at Rs 500 per unit. “Only hotels are charged double the rate at Rs 1,000,” she added.
A gram sabha member questioned the panchayat’s failure to clean the traditional wells in the village.
The sarpanch said that they could not find labourers, who were skilled enough to undertake cleaning of wells.
“We are trying to locate people who are expert enough to go down in wells and clean it. Now, this job will be taken up only after rains,” Lobo said.
The gram sabha also appointed several locals as members of various village committees in the panchayat.
The Sarpanch informed that Siolim Primary Health Centre will be organising a health camp in the panchayat hall on August 14 between 9 am and 1 pm.
