MERCES, MAY 28
Merces Sarpanch Prakash Naik issued a stern warning to all villagers who indulge in illegal land filling activities in the village without obtaining necessary approval from the concerned authorities and said that strict action will be taken against the offenders.
The Sarpanch also vowed to take action against illegal dumping of debris on the roadsides in the village and informed that the panchayat would not hesitate to bring the culprits to book as and whenever they are caught red handed.
Prakash made the statements at a press conference, which was held in the Merces panchayat premises on Friday. Further, with the panchayat already facing a headache over garbage in the absence of a dumping site, Prakash said that people who are caught dumping or throwing garbage at various places in the village, will be fined in the range of Rs 500 – Rs 1000, depending on the quantity of the garbage being dumped.
“Those who are caught filling land illegally, the panchayat will issue notices to the parties involved and report the matter to the higher authorities for appropriate action,” he added.
When questioned why the panchayat has come to this sudden decisions, Prakash said that he has received complaints from one of his panchas Deepika Shirgaonkar that unknown persons are indulging in illegal filling of land in her ward under the garb of darkness and that the activity is going on for the past few days.
He further said that he has also noticed construction debris being dumped on the roadsides in the village, particularly at several places in Vaddy-Merces, which is being done clandestinely in the night time, and despite several efforts on the part of the panchayat, the culprits are not being caught. Prakash further appealed to the villagers to immediately report to him or any of the panchas if they notice anybody indulging in such acts so that the culprits are brought to book.
On the garbage front, Prakash said that the Merces Panchayat is itself facing problems of disposing its garbage in the absence of a dumping site, and informed that villagers, not only from Merces but other villages as well, dump or throw garbage in plastic bags at various places, thereby making the task of the panchayat that much difficult. He further urged the villagers not to dump garbage at will, but instead segregate the garbage at home, which will go a long way in solving garbage woes in the village.
When questioned what the panchayat has done over identifying a site for dumping garbage, Prakash said that the process has already started and soon the concerned authorities will identify and inspect the area for its suitability to treat waste.
Deputy Sarpanch Yogita Kavlekar and panch Deepika Shirgaonkar were also present at the press conference.
