PERNEM.
Hotel projects in the panchayat jurisdiction dominated the Mandrem gram sabha held on Sunday with members resolving to call a special meeting to deliberate on the matter.
Residents also demanded action against the residents who had assaulted two panch members last month.
Panchayat shops, hall, speed breakers, development works, immediate issuance of occupancy certificate were the other issues listed on the gram sabha agenda.
Prasad Shahpurkar bought forward the issue of hotel project saying the construction works were in clear violation of CRZ rule and in spite of the matter pending in court.
“Parties are held in hotels, but panchayat does not get any revenue. An investigation should be initiated into the construction works which are carried out violating CRZ rules,” he demanded.
One of the hotel projects has encroached land of the villagers and houses of mundkars are in danger, said a resident.
Another hotel project too came under the scanner at the gram sabha. Residents demanded to summon the owner at the special gram sabha. “The hotel owner and the panchayat should spell out provisions made for jobs and taxi business to the locals,” demanded residents.
An unusual situation prevailed at the gram sabha after a panch Raghoba Gawade preferred to sit among the villagers instead of the dais saying he won’t be able to give any answers to the public for failing to undertake any development in his ward.
A youth Tushar Govekar demanded painting of the existing speed breakers instead of installing new ones. “There are about 30 speed breakers in Mandrem and people have to drive their vehicles slowly while going to work. Instead of installing new speed breakers, initiate action against those involved in rash driving,” he added. Villagers also questioned the panchayat authorities for failing to issue occupancy certificates even after having all legal permissions.
“Why only locals are harassed? If locals can’t get occupancy certificate, it should not be issued to other projects in the village,” said a villager.
Tushar Govekar further asked panchayat to give info on the action initiated against cell phone towers in the village.
Replying to the query, Sarpanch Rajvi Sawant said action will be taken against the towers and permission won’t be granted to companies for erecting towers near residential areas and schools.
A resident Nazareth took panchayat authorities to the task for failing to allot him a shop in the panchayat building after filing an application.
After lot of discussion, the panchayat secretary and some panchas announced that Nazareth will be allotted a shop. However, former sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar said shops should be given to only those people who had submitted applications earlier.
Nazareth argued that he had sought out information through RTI Act, in which he was the only one person who had filed application. But Konadkar refused to believe and claimed that 15 applications were made for availing shops.
Some residents demanded to provide chairs and install air conditioners in the Deendayal hall at Mandrem.
Meanwhile, some residents complained that couples create nuisance in the park raised by the forest department. “Any untoward incident could took place as this park is mired in darkness. Illuminating this park is the need of the hour,” demanded a resident. The gram sabha was chaired by Sarpanch Rajvi Sawant. Deputy sarpanch Dennis Britto, panchas Seraphine Dias, Mandrekar, Priya Kanodkar, Subash Asolkar, Amrose Fernades, Mahadev Harmalkar and panchayat secretary Dasharth Parab were present.
