the goan I network
MARGAO
The Telaulim gram sabha members joined their Navelim counterparts in strongly objecting to the government’s proposal to set up a kabrastan on the banks of river Sal at Sirvodem.
The gram sabha also took strong exception to the letter written by Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Sidhivinayak Naik on the garbage issue and reminded the official that the municipality is not an authority exercising control over the panchayats.
These contentious issues figured at the Telaulim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Estevan Goes on Sunday Sarpanch Estevan pointed out that the gram sabha members are not opposed to the kabrastan per se, but they have lodged their objections to the proposed site.
He said the members feared that the location of the burial ground at the present site along the river course will further contaminate the Sal.
On MMC CO’s letter to Salcete panchayats, including Telaulim, to furnish details on waste management, the gram sabha members pointed out that the civic body should first put its house in order on waste segregation before pointing fingers at other local panchayat bodies. “The panchayats do not come under the jurisdiction of the MMC. The panchayats function under the Goa Panchayati Raj Act with the Panchayat Director as the head of the department,” he added.
While saying that the Telaulim panchayat has put a system in place to collect dry waste, the Sarpanch said the MMC CO should take steps to stop the discharge of raw sewage into the river Sal. He said the Margao municipality has failed to address the issue of raw sewage flowing into the river Sal, adding that the CO should concentrate his time and energy to stop the pollution of the river.
Meanwhile, gram sabha members have called upon the police to maintain patrolling near the Telaulim-Varca bridge, Diagona and at the Coldem bandh. The Sarpanch said members raised the issue of anti-social activities taking place at these three places and have called upon the police to maintain patrolling.
The gram sabha members also complained of the defunct streetlights and urged the panchayat to write to Power Minister Nilesh Cabral.
The gram sabha also deliberated on the letter received from the PM on water conversation. After much discussion, it was decided to propose to the government to take up maintenance of the three village lakes under the Prime Minister’s scheme.
