the goan I network
MAPUSA
The special gram sabhas called on Sunday to discuss the vital issue of water conservation turned out to be a damp squib due to very poor attendance.
In some places the gram sabhas had to be adjourned due to lack of quorum.
In Uccasaim not a single person attended the gram sabha while in Siolim-Marna and Anjuna the meeting was held with just five people in attendance.
The gram sabhas in Assagao and Nachinola were adjourned on account of lack of quorum.
Only in Candolim around 40 locals attended the gram sabha.
Most locals that The Goan spoke to informed that the panchayats failed to carry out adequate awareness about the gram sabha clearly indicating that the meetings were held as a matter of formality since the PM had written to the village chiefs to read his message on water conservation to the people.
Interestingly, there were seven points on the agenda to discuss on the issue of water conservation and related measures to optimize storage of water but most gram sabhas ended within 15 to 30 minutes. Wherever the gram sabhas were held the letter written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sarpanchas was first read to the public.
In Siolim-Marna, a group of five locals who were present for the gram sabha questioned the sarpanch and the panchayat secretary for failure to inform the public about the meeting.
“The Prime Minister is writing to you on a serious topic and you are reading the letter only to five people?” asked Gregory D’Souza, a local from the village.
During a brief discussion on the subject, D’Souza suggested that the condition of water harvesting should be made mandatory in NOCs/licences issued to future constructions in the village.
He also stressed the need to protect the water bodies and fields in the village.
Another gram sabha member suggested inviting a resource person who could explain about water harvesting to the villagers
Consenting to the suggestions put forth by the locals, Siolim-Marna, Sarpanch, Monali Pednekar said she would take necessary action in the matter.
In Candolim, Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes informed the gram sabha that most ponds in the village have been repaired through the water resources department.
“If there are any more ponds which need attention you can approach the panchayat for necessary action,” Fernandes said.
He also urged the gram sabha to make use of their wells at home in a bid to harvest water.
“I have already started water harvesting in my well. I have set an example and I want my villagers to follow me,” he said.
Candolim has around 12 ponds and almost every second house has a well, however, most of these wells are unused.
Uccasaim Sarpanch, George D’Souza expressed disappointment over lack of participation of locals in gram sabhas. “We had taken adequate steps to inform the public about the special gram sabha but yet people failed to turn up,” D’Souza said.
He, however, said that the panchayat members discussed among themselves ways to carry out water conservation. “We have also decided to invite a resource person who can guide us on ways to harvest water,” he said.
The special gram sabhas to discuss on water conservation were held in 11 panchayats
in Bardez.
