MARGAO: Garbage management appears to be the priority for most of the Panchayats in Salcete taluka followed by solving the frequent power outages. Some of the newly elected sarpanchas preferred to have the panchayat monthly meeting before listing out their priorities.

Managing garbage was listed as top priority by the new sarpanchas of Chinchinim-Deusua, Assolna, Velim, Aquem-Baixo, Davorlim-Dicarpale and Benaulim. Even Navelim which has a machine to convert wet waste into fertilizer is facing a garbage problem as people do not give segregated waste but mix all waste.

“We shall organize meetings in every ward through the panchayat member to educate people about segregating waste,” said Navelim Sarpanch Wilma D’Silva. Cana Benaulim Sarpanch Diella Fernandes said she would press for a garbage management plant in the village and even identify land for it.

Davorlim-Dicarpale Sarpanch Flancy Gomes brazenly admitted they burn the waste whenever there is a dry spell. “The vehicle that used to collect our dry waste has stopped coming for the last fortnight and we have no option but to burn the waste,” she said. Regular power failures was another complaint from most of the sarpanchas who said new transformers were required as the existing ones cannot take the load. Sarpanchas of Paroda and Velim complained of the street lights with Inacio Tereza of Paroda pointing out that LED bulbs were not installed in two wards.

While pointing out that most of the panchayat members were new, Carmona Sarpanch Winston Dias said that he needed to discuss the matter with his members before enlisting the priorities or plan of action. 

Guirdolim Deputy Sarpanch Franky Rodrigues said constructing the rail under or over bridge at the level crossing was the top priority while Macasana Sarpanch Agnelo D’Costa said completing the ground was a priority.

San Jose de Areal Sarpanch Perris D’Costa wanted to take up the construction of the panchayat ghar as top priority while Inacinho Fernandes wanted beautification of the Loutolim church square and development of the village to be given priority.

Varca Sarpanch Roland Fernandes wanted to provide proper drains in the fields so that there is no water logging there while providing proper drains by the road side was identified as a need in Davorlim-Dicarpale, Paroda, Curtorim, Velim.

Sarpanchas of Rachol and Raia, Eni Oliveira and Zelia Gonsalves respectively were not willing to speak and said they would list out their plan of action later.

Paroda Sarpanch Inacio Tereza stressed the need to monitor the spot at Koriat in his village which was turning into a picnic spot with youth indulging in nefarious activities.