PORVORIM: The issue of land acquisition for the construction of by-pass road from Saligao to Sangolda through the paddy fields and water connection to Hindu crematorium dominated the Sangolda gram sabha on Sunday.
When Sarpanch Premanand Kochrekar informed that the PWD has issued a notice for land acquisition to construct by-pass road from Saligao to Sangolda through the paddy fields and the notice has been displayed on the notice board of the panchayat, the villagers objected strongly to the move of the government to acquire the land of marginal farmers.
The villagers said the government offers various schemes to encourage the farmers to cultivate their farms and on the other hand grab their land and deprive them of their livelihood.
The sarpanch said the panchayat is helpless and advised the farmers to convey their objections to the PWD. “Alternately, the affected farmers can submit their memorandum along with Form I and IX to the panchayat and the panchayat will submit to it to the PWD,” said Kochrekar.
Nanu Tuemkar enquired about the progress of water connection to the Hindu crematorium. Kochrekar replied that the panchayat has already applied with the PWD to release the water connection for the crematorium and requested the villagers to pursue the matter with the PWD for speedy release of the water connection.
The villagers were furious with the reply and said it is the duty of the panchayat to ensure that water connection is released soon. “The panch members are elected by the people to get their works done. This matter is pending for quite a long time now and if the panchayat desires it can get the water connection released immediately with the help of the local MLA,” said a local.
Issues of construction of internal roads, cleaning of drains and gutters, illegal constructions, etc, were also discussed at the gram sabha.
Earlier, Sarpanch Kochrekar welcomed the gathering, while Panchayat Secretary Peter Martins read the minutes of the gram sabha held on May 4.
