Mayem-Vaiginim panchayat which is one of the biggest panchayats in Bicholim is reeling under several problems, which the villagers claim, are not properly addressed by the panchayat body.

The panchayat is famous for its lake, presently under construction, has been in news since last five years for several reasons especially mining. Even the road leading to the panchayat house is dusty due to mining.

Despite there being three mining companies in the vicinity, the youth in the village are jobless; instead the people have to put up with pollution.

“The companies have now resumed their work, but since last five years there has been no new jobs that have been created in this sector and the panchayat has also not taken any initiative in this regard,” ex-panch Mayem Kashinath Mayekar said adding, “whatever the development that we see is done by the MLA and there is no role of the panchayat in this regard.”

The villagers also claim that the panchayat body was also not able to implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme in the village. “The scheme was implemented in proper manner only in two wards -- Ardhawada and Kelbaiwada -- while in other wards no efforts were made to give employment to the youth,” Sakharam Pednekar, a resident, said.

The panchayat was in news when the residents opposed the move to hold gram sabha till the time a corruption case was registered against the ex-sarpanch. The villagers went to the vigilance department, which after investigation submitted the report to the BDO and finally an FIR was registered with the police.

The work of Mayem lake is also delayed and the residents feel that the panchayat should demand with the government to give priority to the locals at the site. The residents are also angry with the panchayat for giving house numbers to illegal houses.

When contacted, Mayem-Vaiginim sarpanch Urvi Masurkar claimed the panchayat has brought about developments in the village with the help of the government.

“Several grounds were constructed, roads were widened, beautification of lakes was taken up, road leading to crematorium was restored,” Urvi stated adding, “We also gave priority to health (by organising) several health camps in the village. There have been no failures during our tenure even though there has been some delay in some projects.”