The Gram Sabha of Loliem-Polem Panchayat turned stormy on Sunday amid queries on illegal constructions on the Polem coast.
While one group demanded the development of the Polem coast in the right earnest for tourism, another group raised different issues and made severe allegations against the panchayat body.
Anand Pagi of Polem accused the landlords of blocking the traditional pathway leading to the shore at Polem and stated that the pathway to a traditional religious structure was also blocked.
He stated that a footbridge has been illegally constructed at one site on the shore and tidal water gets stagnant, affecting the nearby house.
Anand Pagi and Deepak Pagi also alleged that a concrete wall has been erected on the shore, due to which it has become difficult for fishermen to bring the boats to the shore.
Sarpanch Pratija Bandekar and Panch Ajay Lolyekar assured members that the Panchayat would discuss the matter in its meeting and take a suitable decision.
“A survey will be conducted and all issues will be resolved amicably,” assured the Sarpanch.
Prashant Pagi demanded that while approving mega projects in the panchayat area, the decision should be taken only in consultation with the villagers.
“It has been a tradition of Loliem-Polem panchayat that while approving or taking up any major project in the Panchayat area, the matter is discussed in the Gram Sabha, before any further decision is taken,” he said.
Residents said the fisheries department had installed cages for fish breeding in the high seas off the Polem coast and they are still lying there.
Many residents criticised the panchayat after they found the BJP flag hoisted in the panchayat office during elections of Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
It may be recalled that BJP flags were put up in the panchayat office, particularly in the cabin of Sarpanch, after the election of Sarpanch and Dy Sarpanch of Loliem-Polem panchayat.
“It is not correct that the BJP banner was put up after the election of the Sarpanch. The Panchayat should not be tied to any political party as the panchayat belongs to the villagers. The panchayat cannot belong to any party,” said Sameer Naik during the Gram Sabha.
Sarpanch Pratija Bandekar and Panch Ajay Lolyekar then got up and expressed their apologies over the incident. They informed the Gram Sabha that such a mistake would not happen again.
