CANACONA
The Loliem-Polem gram sabha unanimously passed resolutions against nationalisation of rivers and coal transportation in the State.
The members also demanded to know what activities were taken up by the Village Bio-Diversity Committee in the last 5 years. However, the demand was rejected saying bio-diversity is completely a different issue and has no merit for discussion in the gram sabha.
Taking up an application of nationalisation of rivers and coal handling issues received from a member Pamela Fernandes, Sarpanch Ajay (Ajit) Lolienkar initially sought for discussion on the issues, however, put off detailed discussion when the applicant began her speech in English, saying not many would understand it.
When Pamela's argument that most people understand English and also 99% of the panchayat correspondence is carried out in the same language failed to convince the chair, a member Manoj stood up and explained why nationalisation of rivers and coal handling are harmful to the society. Later, an unanimous resolution was passed against these issues.
Interestingly, the issue of nationalisation of rivers was raised in the previous gram sabha and the sarpanch had sought time till next gram sabha for people to understand the pros and cons before any resolution is taken up.
Another application to know the works taken up by Bio-Diversity Committee in the last 5 years was turned down by Sarpanch Lolienkar, who said the activities taken up by this committee are altogether different matter and presently there is no need for gram sabha to question about it. This view was surprisingly supported by panch and ex-sarpanch Bhushan Prabhugaonkar. Former sarpanch Mohandas Lolienkar took on village talathi for not doing anything in stopping controversial constructions at a certain area, after people of that area had demanded a road through the locality.
People of Polem-Shellim demanded a mobile phone tower saying there are no proper mobile networks of any service provider in their area. The sarpanch said the panchayat will not approach any service provider, but may consider favourably if any request is received from the mobile service providers, willing to put up mobile tower.
Some members also raised the issues of pending toilets, road works.
All the panchas besides Panchayat Secretary Manjunath Goankar were present.
