the goan I network
MARGAO
Opposition to a mobile tower at the Baradi hillock dominated the proceedings of the gram sabha of the village panchayat of Velim on Sunday. The meeting also discussed the contentious issue over the government’s delay in paying the octroi to the panchayat for the last several
months.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Savio D’Silva saw a group of members vehemently opposing the proposal to erect a mobile tower on the Baradi hillock. The gram sabha members pointed out that they have no issue if the tower comes up at another locality, but made it clear that they will oppose the proposal tooth and nail.
The opposition to the tower comes against the backdrop of the proposal being cleared by the Panchayat to allow the company to install the tower at the Baradi hillock. The Sarpanch later told the members that the panchayat would not pursue the proposal if the people are opposed to the tower from coming up on the hillock, but asked the members to look for an alternate land for the proposed tower.
The contentious issue of non-payment of octroi by the government came up for discussion once again at the gram sabha. When gram sabha members demanded to know from the Sarpanch the fate of the correspondence made to the Panchayat Director on the issue, he replied saying there’s no reply received from the government till date.
Gram sabha members then told the Sarpanch to write letters to the Chief Secretary, Panchayat Secretary and other authorities to find out the status of octroi due to the panchayat
body.
The gram sabha also requested the Sarpanch to explore the possibility of filing a PIL in the High Court along with other panchayats which have also been affected by delay in octroi.
The gram sabha also gave its nod for the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for the year 2020-21. Sarpanch placed before the gram sabha a host of proposals to be taken up under the GPDP, including the proposals which did not take shape in the present GPDP plan.
The proposals include desilting of the water bodies and repairs of the sluice gates in the village.
