Poinguinim gram sabha ends abruptly over migrant issue

Team Herald

CANACONA: The Poinguinim gram sabha held on Sunday ended abruptly over allegations that house number and NOC for electricity connection were issued without following proper procedures by the panchayat.

The meeting started amidst allegations from the villagers that they were not intimated of the gram sabha in advance due to which they said that they were not able to file written questions in relating to the issues affecting the panchayat.

The gram sabha was attended by over hundred residents and seven of the nine panchas. The meeting was chaired by Sarpanch Ramdas Pujari.

Issues like garbage collection, crematorium and NOC to repair the damaged embankments were hotly debated at the meeting. It is pertinent that residents living on the banks of Galgibagha river had complained to the various government authorities that due to the damaged embankments of the river, saline water has ingressed inland thereby polluting the wells and damaging the crop in the vicinity. 

It is also pertinent that the panchayat in its last term had passed a resolution making it compulsory to take NOC from panchayat before undertaking any repairs to the damaged bandhs. “However, the panchayat is dillydallying with this issue which would spell devastation in the locality as the embankments have been washed away at many places,” the concerned locals said.

When locals started questioning the issue of house number and NOC for electricity connection to a non-Goan who has purchased lakhs of sq mts of land at Ganeabagh, the gram sabha was abruptly adjourned.

Not satisfied with the lack of interest shown by the panchayat over the allegations raised by local residents, more than 30 affected residents gathered at the gate of the non-Goan property owner at Ganeabagh to protest the filling of two streams and construction of concrete wall.

A local residing near the boundary of the property speaking to Herald said that water is entering their houses as the owner has diverted the water which was flowing through the property, later someone amongst the locals gathered called police at the site as they feared that the land owner may file wrong complaint against them.