THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO: Power and water woes dominated the gram sabha of the village of Cavelossim on Sunday, with members complaining of non-functioning street lights and water consumers demanding facility in the village for the payment of water bills.
The issue over Mobor fisheries was raised by some members, but Sarpanch Denis Rosario did not allow discussion on the issue on grounds that the matter is now pending before the High Court and that the panchayat had explained the issue at the gram sabha meetings in the past.
Gram sabha members bitterly complained of the non-functioning street lights in the village which is considered the hub of starred hotels.
The Sarpanch explained to the members that the maintenance and upkeep of the streetlights falls in the domain of the Electricity department and assured to get the linesmen to repair the defunct streetlights.
On the water front, members pointed out that the banks have stopped accepting payment of water bills in the village, forcing them to travel 20 kms to Margao to pay the water bills.
The Sarpanch assured the members that the panchayat would immediately write to the PWD officials and ensure that they depute an official to accept the payment of water bills in the village.
The issue of a mobile tower erected within a five star hotel complex also came up for discussion. Members demanded to know whether the mobile tower has been erected after obtaining permissions from the panchayat and other relevant authorities.
Sarpanch Denis informed the gram sabha members that the panchayat would soon issue a notice to the company demanding to show cause whether it has obtained the relevant permissions, including permissions from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
The issue of Rs 1000 fee on guesthouses dotting the village also came up for discussion. Members pointed out that the levy of tax of Rs 1000 on guest houses was steep and called for a reconsideration. Sarpanch Denis replied saying the tax was imposed on the guest houses as per the provisions of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, while disclosing plans to call for a meeting of the panchayat to discuss the same.
On the collection of waste from the hotels, one of the members suggested that public funds should not be used for the collection of waste from the hotels and resorts. Sarpanch Denis informed that the panchayat has started collecting waste from a starred resort on an experimental basis, further pointing out that the panchayat is liable to collect the waste from the hotels and establishments as the panchayat is collecting the garbage tax from the tax payers.
