The Goan Network
Old Goa
Chimbel locals raised eyebrows over the role of the panchayat authorities in failing to stop an alleged illegal activity of borewell digging in a residential colony in the village.
A villager Ana Gracias informed The Goan that the activity was first noticed by one of the residents of the colony Maria Serrao on July 3. Serrao immediately wrote to the panchayat asking it to stop work on the alleged illegal activity of borewell digging. However, sources within the panchayat informed that instead of serving a stop work notice the authorities simply asked for relevant documents from the party undertaking the digging activity.
“The panchayat then received an application from the residents of the colony seeking permission for digging of bore well. However they were told to approach the concerned authorities like WRD and seek their permission first,” a source informed The Goan while stating that the work on the borewell was also stopped.
According to Gracias, however, the activity resumed in full force on Sunday, July 8 perhaps on account of the panchayat being closed.
“I called sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar but he said that he was away from the village. Later, I went to deputy sarpanch Manisha Chopdekar’s house where I was informed that she does not have the authority to take action as she was not given charge by the sarpanch,” Gracias stated while alleging that it was all a well-planned play by the panchayat authorities to look the other way and allow construction of the illegal bore well.
“I even spoke to the Tiswadi BDO who said that he would speak to the sarpanch but nothing happened,” said Gracias who now intends to complain to WRD and other authorities.
Attempts by The Goan to contact the Tiswadi BDO proved futile as initially the calls went unanswered and later the number was switched off.
