PERNEM
Demanding the immediate withdrawal of no-objection certificates to mega projects, angry residents in Korgao have insisted that such projects should be approved only after taking the approval of the gram sabha.
Heated discussions on the issue prevailed at the gram sabha on Sunday, as residents stated that various aspects pertaining to adequate roads, available water and electricity should have been taken into consideration, before granting permissions to mega projects. The also claimed that locals should not be inconvenienced in any way through such projects.
Residents accused the panchayat of permitting such projects despite opposition in the village.
They claimed that though a resolution in this matter had been passed at the previous Gram Sabha, mega projects were still permitted in the village and demanded action against panchayat staff.
The residents also came out strongly against hill-cutting activities to make way for mega projects in the village and said large buildings and projects should not have a place in the village.
They warned that if authorities went ahead and granted permission to such projects, the residents would launch an agitation.
The Gram Sabha was chaired by Korgao Sarpanch Abdul Karim Naik and other panchas present included were Deputy Sarpanch Diwakar Jadhav, Anuradha Korgaonkar, Neeta Narase, Kalpita Kalashankar, Devidas Nagvekar, Umesh Chari and Laukak Shetye.
The issue of garbage also came up for discussion and residents demanded that the panchayat takes strict action against those caught dumping garbage in open spaces.
Residents said the Korgao Panchayat had installed CCTV cameras in one ward and sought to know who had been checking the video footage and who had been maintaining the cameras. They suggested that a CCTV camera should be installed at the panchayat office, so that people entering and exiting the panchayat could also be monitored.
Demanding punctuality among panchayat staff, a resident said a biometrics device had been installed earlier, but it had gone out of order. A new biometrics device should be installed to ensure that panchayat staff adhere to their timings in office.
Some residents suggested that the Panchayat should conduct training for women self help groups so that they could be supported to stand on their own feet and gain employment through small businesses.
Sarpanch Abdul Karim Naik informed the Gram Sabha that the Panchayat had organised such camps in the past, but if necessary, such camps would be organised for women in the future.
Panchayat Secretary Shraddha Korgaonkar presented the minutes of the previous Gram Sabha and also placed the budget before the members. Deputy Sarpanch Diwakar Jadhav later proposed the vote of thanks.
