10 Aug 2022  |   06:39am IST

TOWARDS GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE

On Voting Day, Goans are gearing up to vote for change and for practical solutions to their problems. Team Herald spoke to several voters in panchayats across the state to understand the various issues they hope their chosen candidate will be able to resolve for them. People demanded solutions for unemployment, garbage menace, poor drainage system and erratic power and water supply, among others.

Unemployment: 

 

"I worry about the the limited opportunities available to young people today. I hope the newly-elected panchayat members work together with our MLA to find a solution."

Sudip Korgaonkar, Korgao,Pernem

"Today, the unemployment rate is so high that the youth are going down wrong and dangerous paths. The government and local body representatives should come up with a strong solution, at least training programmes and small activities."

Sujata Naik, Ponda  

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Healthcare:

 

The villages in Tuem and Pernem do not have access to good healthcare facilities. There are hospitals and health centres in the villages, but there are no proper facilities in terms of medical staff, diagnostic tests and availability of medicines

Pramila Dessai, teacher, Pernem

 

The sub centre at Khandepar needs to be upgraded on priority. Today, the village is lacking proper and basic medical facilities

Sandeep Parkar, Khandepar

 

Water and Electricity

 

People in Keri are facing a lot of issues due to the erratic power supply and unreliable water supply. The elected panchayat members need to solve this on priority

Anand Shirodkar, Keri 

 

There is acute water shortage in several parts of Anjuna, and even during the rains, we face issues as the distribution is problematic. We actually need to walk to the wells, or pay for water tankers due to this issue

Keshav Dessai, Anjuna

 

Coastal belt issues:

 

The condition of the roads in Arpora, Nagoa and Calangute is dismal, and is the cause for road accidents. Drug addiction is another problem across the coastal villages.  The elected members need to take up these issues with the concerned higher authorities to save the dignity of the village

Patricia D'Souza

 

The panchayat should crackdown on all the criminal and illegal activties rampant along the costal belt, like drug peddling, pimps and prostitution. We need good leaders at the village-level, who will work for the people of Goa, and not for their political bosses and personal gains.

Swarav Shirodkar, Calangute

Drug menace

Over the years, the drug menace has gotten worse and it is a known fact that there are syndicates operating these networks. It is troubling to see that they are now using minors to peddle drugs, and a large number of locals are engaged in peddling and consumption of drugs, which is a menace to society. Apart from the police and other law enforcement, elected members of the panchyat, schools and colleges and even religious institutions should work together to find a solution to this issue

Peter Regaen Olviera, Siolim  

 

The drug menace is not just a problem of the cities and the tourist areas, but has become a deep-rooted issue in villages as well. Panchayat officials need to get involved and work towards drug-free villages

Claudia Pereira, Utorda

Gutters & Drainage

The gutters in Orgao village are yet to be repaired and they need to be cleaned periodically. The new elected panchayat members should take these matters seriously and make sure the drainage system in the village is picture perfect.

Shekar Chodankar, Orgao, Ponda

The main issue in my ward is the poor drainage system, leading to overflowing gutters and water logging during the rains. The panchayat needs to find a concrete solution

Dhiraj Naik, Sangolda

 

 

Sports facilites

 

There is no support or encouragement from the panchayat, to develop football or sports facilities. The panchayat only organises tournaments ahead of the election, and then, there is silence. Today, progress in the field of sports is lagging behind due to the lack of support and infrastructure in the village. The panchayat members and elected representatives should take this matter seriously and give importance to sports at the village-level.

Marcos Fernandes, Siolim,Football Grassroots Coach

 

Across Guirim and Sangolda, there are no dedicated sports or cultural and recreational activity centre for the villages. The local bodies should make an effort to remedy this for the holistic development of the youngsters who live here

Sonia Kavlekar, Sangolda