the goan I network
VASCO
The garbage issue rocked the Sancoale panchayat gram sabha on Sunday as several villagers complained about the garbage collection facility in Sancoale VP.
The issue of mega projects in the area was also raked up with people demanding to know if the panchayat could revoke construction licenses issued to mega projects to which the Sarpanch Girish Pillai said that the panchayat body had taken a legal opinion in the matter.
Residents also demanded the panchayat land given for Kala Bhavan be taken back as the project had not been completed for the last 10 years.
Speaking to the media, Sarpanch Pillai agreed that there was huge pressure on him for taking back the land given to Kala Bhavan.
“Mega projects, garbage collection and Kala Bhavan were the main issues discussed today,” Pillai said.
“The Kala Bhavan was proposed in 2008 and for last ten years there is nothing,” he added.
Garbage also is a big issue in all panchayats.
“We are working on a solution. I appeal to the people that people offer segregated garbage to the agent once the door-to-door garbage collection starts. We will also have an awareness program in all the wards along with each ward councillor for segregated garbage disposal. It is only then that the garbage issue will be sorted,” said Pillai.
Legal opinion sought on mega-projects: Sarpanch
VASCO: Sarpanch Girish Pillai told the media that since people had voiced concern over mega-projects in Sancoale even demanding that the panchayat revoke the construction licences issued, it was decided to take a legal opinion and the same was placed before the gram sabha meeting on Sunday.
“We had no idea about the mega-projects as the construction licences were issued in the previous tenure and we were not aware if we had the powers to revoke construction license issued by the previous panchayat body. We took a legal opinion and we have realised that revoking is only possible in case of misrepresentation by builders and we have informed the people that we cannot directly revoke the licence. However, if the people wish, they can approach courts and if we issue any direction from courts we can go ahead and revoke the issued licences. People are now requesting that we issue occupancy only if the builder has made enough provision for garbage and sewage issues. I want to say that as a new body we have not issued any license to any projects. We have not issued construction license to any projects above 4 flats,” said Pillai
