VASCO: The Chicalim gram sabha passed the panchayat budget for 2016-17 and discussed a host of issues, including garbage, mobile towers, installation of meters for wells, and developmental works under the 14th Finance Commission, on Sunday.
On the garbage issue, the gram sabha discussed the dumping of garbage on the roadside at Matvem, Assoi, Duesa and Alto-Chicalim. The members, including Cosme Araujo, Adv Albino Vales, and Agnelo de Dabolim asked the panchayat to take concrete steps to prevent dumping of garbage in the open, especially on the roadside.
Rui Araujo highlighted the need to create awareness amongst the shopkeepers to stop the use of carry bags and for the panchayat to conduct regular plastic drives.
The gram sabha later passed a resolution that the panchayat refrain from issuing construction licences till the garbage issue has been solved.
Former Sarpanch Inacio Cetano Fernandes highlighted the ill effects of mobile towers and requested the panchayat not to issue licences for installing mobile towers in the village and at the same time to revoke the licences already issued to such towers after following due procedure. The members agreed to his suggestion.
Asha Machado highlighted the need to install direction signs, undertake regular plastic drives and strengthen the biodiversity cell of the village.
Panch Francisco Nunes presented a number of development works to be taken under the 14th Finance Commission for the approval of the gram sabha. The works included construction of a compound wall with a gate, storage room for the Hindu crematorium, fabricating and installing direction signposts and signboards of places of interest, safety nets for goalposts to prevent the ball from landing on the NH 17-A, construction of a service road at Alto-Dabolim on the NH 17-B, and construction of a new road leading to the old church. The gram sabha passed the proposal.
The issue of installing meters for drinking water wells in the panchayat’s jurisdiction saw a heated debate. Besides raising serious concerns, the villagers slammed the Water Resources Department for implementing such an order. Hilda Dias and Mary D’Costa stated that they were fine with meters for those drawing water for commercial use, but not for those who were using water for their own needs.
The gram sabha resolved to write to the WRD conveying the panchayat’s objections to such a decision.
Oscar Monteiro highlighted the need to have a roundabout at the Chicalim football ground junction by levelling the space between both roads.
