MAPUSA
Villagers in Calangute on Sunday opposed the panchayat’s decision to charge farmers for using its tractor. They warned that the move would hurt agriculture in the village. At the gram sabha, residents urged the panchayat to offer the service free of cost.
They questioned why a financially strong panchayat should burden farmers. The panchayat had fixed a rate of Rs 600 per hour.
Local resident Narusha D’Souza called the decision “sad and pathetic” for one of the richest panchayats in the state. “With such a high fee, the sarpanch is on the verge of finishing farming in Calangute,” she said.
After objections from villagers, Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira agreed to cut the rate to Rs 300 per hour. However, many residents insisted that farmers should not be charged at all. Sequeira said the issue would be discussed with the full panchayat before a final decision is taken.
PROBLEM OF TOUTS
The gram sabha also discussed the problem of touts operating in the beach village and an alleged link between touts and police.
Local resident Manuel Cardozo said the tout menace was damaging tourism and asked the panchayat to raise the matter with the tourism department.
“Touts and police are hand in glove,” Cardozo alleged. Referring to a recent road accident, he claimed a tout approached a car owner who was arguing with a tourist and offered help in extracting money by saying he had links with senior police officers.
The sarpanch said the panchayat had already written to the Tourism Department about the tout issue.
GARBAGE DUMPING NEAR BEACH
Garbage dumping near the Baga beach area was another concern raised. Villagers said a private contractor had been allowed to dump waste there for segregation. Cardozo objected, saying it spoiled the look of the village and created a foul smell. Sequeira replied that the panchayat would again write to the tourism department regarding the matter.
