Navelim opposes house tax hike, wants status quo

the goan I network
MARGAO

The Gram Sabha, which was chaired by sarpanch Wilma D'Silva, also witnessed strong opposition voiced by locals to the installation of wi-fi towers by a private mobile company as well as the plan of the Sewerage Department for construction of a pumping station at Mandop. Locals demanded placing of any such proposal before the Gram Sabha to enable the locals decide on such issues.
The proposal for hike in house tax rates and other such levies to enhance the revenue of the panchayat body did not find favour with the locals, who demanded that other aveunes be explored to mop up additional revenue for the panchayat. Whereas it was the contention of a section of the locals who felt that a moderate hike of 10% across the board could be considered and acted upon by the panchayat body in this matter. Some other locals opined in favour of matching the rate structure of house taxes with those levied by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) bordering the panchayat limits. These proposals however did not find favour with a majority of the locals who resolved to maintain the status-quo as regards the rates of house tax and other fees levied by the panchayat.
In another issue, locals were peeved over attempts, allegedly by the Sewerage Department, to construct a pumping station at Mandop, allegedly, by not writing to the panchayat body in this regard. Locals alleged that the Sewerage Department wrote to the PWD authorities in this matter while marking a copy of this correspondence to the panchayat body. Locals wanted such proposals to be first placed before the Gram Sabha to enable the residents decide over such matters.
A private mobile company's plan of installing wi-fi towers also came under criticism of the locals. Locals claimed there were attempts by the company to camouflage the plan of installation of towers by referring to the latter as Ground Based Masts (GBMs). The Gram Sabha wanted that such proposals to be first placed before the locals in the Gram Sabha before any such decision in this regard.
Garbage issue also figured at the Gram Sabha, where a section of the locals demanded that individual notices be sent to all households in panchayat limits regarding modes adopted for garbage disposal.
Some locals also appealed to approach South Goa MP Narendra Sawaiker to seek his help for installing a bio-gas plant through MPLAD fund for effective use of garbage for electrification of street lights through bio-gas.
Earlier, the panchayat body constituted Supervisory Committees as a first step leading to the constitution of the Standing Committees.