the goan I network
Old Goa
A section of villagers and panchayat authorities were at loggerheads with each other on practically every issue even as newly-elected sarpanch Pranita Kalangutkar tried unsuccessfully to calm frayed tempers at the gram sabha on Sunday.
It all started with the discussion on mobile towers with panch Prakash Naik opining why the issue is raised when it was settled at the last gram sabha.
“Mobile towers are needed for students to get information,” Naik opined and said that anybody is free to install towers anywhere in the village.
When Jerry Vaz pointed out that they are not opposing mobile towers but only suggesting that they not be installed in residential areas, panch Naik retorted that since the issue was settled long ago, there was no need of further discussion.
This only infuriated Vaz who questioned why a panch was speaking when the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch were present.
This resulted in a standoff forcing sarpanch Kalangutkar to intervene.
“Since I am new to the post my colleagues will speak on my behalf,” Kalangutkar stated.
The issue of overflowing sewage at St Caitan was raised by Gabriel Braganza who said that despite written complaints no action was forthcoming.
Panch Naik stated that the panchayat has already written to the health authorities, but as Braganza was insisting on a personal visit by the panchayat authorities, it was decided to hold a site inspection on Thursday.
As promised, the garbage report was also placed with secretary Vipin stating that the total expenditure on garbage collection works to Rs 45.10 lakh, which includes labourers’ wages and transportation cost.
“The income comes to around Rs 48,26,600,” he informed while adding that it includes fees for households, commercial establishments, rented premises, etc.
The villagers, however, said that more revenue could be generated if a proper survey was done on rented premises.
To this, the secretary stated that all the panchas have been asked to submit a report on rented premises in their respective wards.
“Barring a couple of panchas, all others have submitted the list of rented premises,” he added.
