A section of villagers from Kalay-Sanguem have criticised some members of the Kalay panchayat for demanding a halt to projects coming within the wild life sanctuary.
Addressing a news conference at Kalay, the villagers accused the panchayat for working against the interests of the people instead of working for the development of the village.
“Supporting the wildlife sanctuary and not working for the welfare of the villagers is putting people in trouble. The total settlement in the village and panchayat office itself fall within the wildlife sanctuary area,” said former Kalay sarpanch Kishore Rama Gauns Dessai.
“It is extremely wrong for the Kalay Panchayat, while largely falling within the sanctuary area, to go to Panaji and demand the stoppage of projects in the panchayat area,” he said.
Other speakers claimed that since it was incorrect for panchayat members to make such demands even though they themselves reside in the sanctuary area.
Panchayat member Kimaya Gaun Desai accused the sarpanch of not taking into confidence those panchayat members who are against him, in any panchayat related works.
Another villager, Krishnanath Desai, claimed that while a legal battle has been fought against the forest department by the villagers for the past 25 years, it is highly disturbing to note the Sarpanch and some panchayat members working against the villagers interest and demanding stoppage of all projects in the wildlife sanctuary, which otherwise could have been employment generating projects in the village.
Besides, Kishore Rama Gauns Dessai and Kimaya Gauns Desai, the news conference was also addressed by panchayat member Suraj Naik, former Sarpanch Viraj Verenkar, former panchayat members Laxmikant Khutkar, Kashinath Gauns Desai, Damodar Kanekar, Suhas Naik, Haresh Misal, Baban Pingle, Babu Shingadi, Prashal Desai and others.
