the goan I network
MAPUSA
The gram sabha on Sunday unanimously resolved to make the village of Siolim-Marna smoke and tobacco free.
The panchayat secretary Jannice Da Costa informed the gram sabha that the directorate of panchayats has issued a circular to take steps to make the Siolim-Marna village tobacco and smoking free.
The panchayat will take a series of steps to create awareness among the public on the issue.
As a first step, every NOC issued to any businessman will have a slogan line informing of the initiative to make Siolim-Marna smoke and tobacco free.
“The panchayat along with the police will conduct surprise inspections in
business establishments in the village to discourage storing of tobacco and other related products,” the secretary said.
The gram sabha also gave a go-ahead to undertake various development works under the Gram Panchayat Development Plan for 2018-19.
A local, Agnelo Noronha opposed to works being taken up in the water body opposite the Siolim-Marna church which has been included in the GPDP.
“Earlier I had opposed the work in the triangle and the concrete embankment in the water body which is sub-judice,” Noronha said.
The gram sabha, however, gave its approval to the GPDP works.
Deputy Sarpanch, Vignesh Chodankar requested that a meeting be called with the traffic cell to discuss traffic-related issues affecting the village.
There is no roundabout at the main Siolim junction which leads to traffic chaos on many occasions, particularly at peak hours.
A local said that sand trucks should not be allowed to enter the village during school hours from 7.30 to 9 am.
There were demands for installation of traffic signals at key junctions “ near the church, Sodiem junction and near Siolim junction.
Joaquim Barros stressed on the importance of police patrolling late in the evenings after 6 pm.
He said unauthorised people sit with fish baskets selling fish at Guddem and Tar junctions.
He also said no hawkers should be allowed to sit by the side of the roads and if anyone was found obstructing the roads he or she should be ejected.
Fatima Fernandes said that many times the panchayat was found wanting in taking action on resolutions taken at gram sabhas and stressed the need to do a follow up so that the resolutions are implemented.
