MARGAO
Increasing number of accidents on the four-lane Arlem-Raia road at Manora dominated the gram sabha of the Raia village panchayat on Sunday.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Esmeralda Gomes discussed the issue of accidents taking place almost everyday on the road.
During the discussion, members pointed out that the road had witnessed as many as four accidents on a single day on Saturday and has called upon the authorities to work out a solution.
After much discussions, the gram sabha has resolved to ask the panchayat to write to the PWD as well as the District Collector to inspect the road.
The meeting also deliberated on the problems faced by power consumers from Raia village due to the decisions taken by the government on on-line payment of power bills.
Members pointed out that power consumers from Raia used to clear their power bills at the local society. They, however, pointed out that the consumers, especially those who have no knowledge of on-line payments, have been left in the lurch by the government decision.
After much discussions, it was resolved to demand that the government maintain the status quo and give relief to the power consumers from the village.
With monsoons round the corner, members drew attention of the Chair to the large-scale flooding of the Arlem circle last year causing traffic problems. Members pointed out that the problem can be overcome if the storm water nullahs are taken up for desilting before the onset of monsoons.
It was finally decided that the panchayat would write to the PWD and the district authorities to take up the work of the desilting of the storm water drains before the monsoons.
Incidentally, former sarpanch Xavier Fernandes told the media that he and other members have boycotted the gram sabha on grounds that the panchayat did not accept their proposals. Xavier further said that they had decided to boycott the gram sabha after the sarpanch had last time round threatened to call the police at the meeting.
