Many a times we read reports about illegal activities that occur in the villages of Goa. These may be cutting of hills and trees, constructions of houses and resorts, sand and laterite mining, shops and residences without occupancy certificate or numbers, dumping of garbage and several more. Thankfully in Goa we do not have cases of illegally dug borewells that are left open and in which kids fall. If the villagers ask about the above issues, most panchayat members and the Sarpanchs either feign ignorance or are really uninformed. The standard reply would be that that they would check and get back.
It is understandable that the panchayat members cannot be vigilant 24 × 7 but they would always have an ear to the ground and possibly be aware from informers and well-wishers as to what is going on in their wards and villages. If so, the members should make surprise visits to see what irregularities are carried out and file a complaint if anything is amiss. They have the authority and power to do so rather than asking the common people to file cases and complaints. In any case most people would baulk at the suggestion and abstain from doing so. Co-operation between villagers and panchayat and proactive actions from the latter could result in a better and peaceful environment.
