OLD GOA
The Chimbel locals took the panchayat authorities to task over various issues at the ordinary gram sabha, on Sunday, which was held after a gap of seven months.
Among the issues to be included was the opposition to the Old Age home project in Provedoria property for which around 35 trees are proposed to be felled.
Speaking on the subject, Tushal Priolkar said that the forest cover in Chimbel is dwindling every day which could spell doom for the villagers in the future. “Trees are very important as they provide free oxygen, apart from other benefits, and therefore it is important to save them at all cost,” Priolkar said while opposing the project which does not benefit the villagers.
Citing his opposition to the project, another local Tukaram Kunkolkar said that there is an unused building which could be used for the project.
Kunkolkar also raised opposition to the inclusion of areas in Chimbel in the GPPDA despite opposition to the same.
“We had opposed the inclusion of Chimbel areas in GPPDA and despite that the areas along Kadamba plateau have been included,” Kunkolkar pointed out and urged the panchayat to take legal action to get the areas excluded.
When the issue of setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Indira Nagar came for discussion, the villagers voiced their opposition stating that the issue was never put before the gram sabha for discussion.
The decision of the panchayat to spend the liberation fund of Rs 50 lakh on renovation of panchayat ghar was also discussed with the locals opining that the money could be put to better use.
“Already the village lacks in basic facilities like school, playground, community hall, etc. The money could be put to use to provide any of these necessary facilities,” a local Sanjay Shirodkar said.
Pointing to sewage overflowing from housing societies at various places, Avinash Shirvoikar questioned why the panchayat is not taking concrete action against the housing societies. After much discussion, it was later decided to send notices of revocation of occupancy to such housing societies.
