PORVORIM
Parking of vehicles on roads and footpaths, planting of coconut saplings on agricultural land, the fish market and electricity bills were among the issues discussed at the Socorro Panchayat gram sabha on Sunday.
Sorter D’Souza said the flyover work was nearing completion and the roads beneath it had been widened. He said people had started parking their vehicles on these roads, making it difficult for motorists to drive. He also pointed out that fruit and vegetable vendors were occupying footpaths and said the panchayat should take up the issue with the concerned authorities.
Ifa Vaz said a farmer at Joswado had planted coconut saplings on agricultural land. When questioned, the farmer reportedly said a Socorro panchayat member had permitted him to plant the saplings. Vaz said the Deputy Collector’s office in Mapusa had informed her that such planting was not permitted and asked the panchayat to look into the matter.
Villagers sought information on whether electricity bills had fallen after the installation of solar panels. Sarpanch Sonia Pednekar said the electricity bill for 2025-26 was Rs.17,67,344, compared to the previous year. She said the panchayat had also hired a transformer to ensure power supply.
Villagers also raised the lack of a fish market in Succor, saying fish vendors were selling fish by the roadside. Pednekar said the Communidade had earmarked space for a fish market.
Pednekar presented the panchayat’s income and expenditure details for 2025-26. The panchayat recorded an income of Rs.5,83,83,390, including government grants of Rs.58,55,996, general grants of Rs.8,03,000, house tax of Rs.63,89,548, professional tax of Rs.57,58,116, construction licence fees of Rs.95,13,010, garbage fees of Rs.77,77,200, shop rent of Rs.6,38,677, hall rent of Rs.21,66,000 and one-month rent of Rs.98,56,300.
Expenditure included Rs.1,66,83,924 on administration, Rs.53,71,354 on public works, Rs.64,04,860 on sanitation, public health and family welfare, and Rs.2,02,141 on education and culture.
The closing balance as of March 31, 2026, was Rs.9,63,76,277.
Earlier, Pednekar welcomed the gathering, while panchayat secretary Satish Gauns read out the minutes of the previous gram sabha. Rajendra Parsekar proposed the vote of thanks.
