THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PERNEM: The Dhargal Panchayat at its ordinary gram sabha on Sunday discussed several issues such as casino project, Ayush Hospital, expansion of highway and garbage.
Panch Vallabh Waradkar welcomed the villagers in the absence of sarpanch Sunita Raul and deputy sarpanch Anuradha Naik. Panchayat Secretary Francis Fernandes informed the locals on various development works to be undertaken in the village.
The secretary said several works including panchayat hall roofing, community hall, shed, etc, will be carried out under the 14th Finance Commission grants. Biodigester toilets would also be installed in the village by March-end.
He said, “The draft CZMP is displayed for scrutiny. Many houses are shown under No Development Zone (NDZ)”.
The panchayat resolved against including the village under Planning and Development Authority.
The villagers claimed that if the village is included under the PDA then the land in the village including the agricultural land would be declared as settlement and the locals would lose their tenancy rights.
The panchayat resolved to write to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to hold taluka level public hearing on the draft CZMP.
Waradkar said that under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa, the Dhargal Panchayat would get Rs 50 lakh. However, he said the panchayat requires data of all the houses on the basic amenities.
“The Rs 50 lakh fund will be utilised to provide electricity, water and toilets to those who have not availed these services till date due to financial crisis,” he added.
“If anyone does not have water and electricity connections and toilet facilities then the villagers should bring it to the notice of the panchayat,” Waradkar said.
The villagers also suggested convening a village level meeting with the officers of concerned departments to create awareness among the people on the various schemes and facilities available under various departments.
They raised concerns over dumping of garbage along the highway. The secretary said that the panchayat clears the garbage on time. However, each time the garbage is cleared, waste is dumped at the spot.
The villagers suggested that the panchayat install a signboard warning the violators.
Following opposition from the villagers, the panchayat passed a resolution objecting the widening of existing Major District Road (MDR) from Sukekolan to Nagzar. The villagers argued that earlier when the road was constructed, they were promised compensation for their land and crops. However, they claimed that till date they have not received anything and now the government wants to widen the existing road.
The panchayat passed a resolution that no NOC would be issued to any commercial and residential projects in the village without holding a discussion in the gram sabha to ensure that locals are informed about the projects coming up in the village.
The villagers objected to the casino project in Dhargal. The Secretary informed that the panchayat has not received any files with regards to the casino project. However, he informed the sabha about receiving the file only for a compound wall. He assured that if the panchayat receives the casino project file, permission would not be issued.
The villagers claimed despite people’s objection, the government is not ready to divert the link road. Since this link road would directly benefit the projects coming up in Dhargal, including the casino.
The panchayat resolved to oppose casino project in the village.
The panchayat also passed a resolution seeking a written assurance on the upcoming projects in the village including private and government that priority to be given to the locals for employment.
The villagers said the Ayush Hospital is coming up when the land is actually acquired for Sports City.
The Secretary informed that the panchayat does not have any documentation with regards to the hospital. The panchayat had issued stop work notice but, the concerned department failed to respond. The file has been forwarded to Pernem Deputy Collector for further action.
The villagers said if the government is using two-and-half lakh sq mts for the project, then the excess land should be returned to the locals. The secretary informed that there is no communication with regards to the six-way express highway link road.
The panchayat later resolved to call for a meeting with Civil Aviation Director with regards to the link road from Sukekolan Dhargal to Mopa.
