The crunch faced Village Panchayat of Uguem in Sanguem is under tension since the demolition of the old panchayat building to pave way for a new building complex.
The old complex was demolished almost a year ago with assurances from the building contractor and GSIDC of the completion of the work of the new building by August 2017 end.
The panchayat now sees no relief of entering into the new building premise at least for another one year.
The issue of the delay in the construction of the new building was hotly debated at the gram sabha held this month. But with all panchas being new, nobody could satisfy the villagers over the status of the building.
Sarpanch Sanjay Parwar said the building, as per the panchayat records, is constructed under the Deen Dayal Scheme by the GSIDC through one of its local contractors at the cost of Rs 1.50 crore.
Parwar said that though as per the tender the contractor has to complete the work by August end, the work is going on at a snail pace with less than 50 per cent of the work being completed as of date.
Though Herald tried to contact the contractor, he did not pick up the calls. The official attached to GSIDC looking after the Uguem project was reportedly busy at a marathon meeting.
Meanwhile, the delay in the completion of the building has cost the panchayat dearly. Uguem, which is hard hit by financial crunch with no regular source of income other than house tax, has to spend Rs 6,000 per month towards the rental charges of the leased premises where the panchayat office is presently housed.
