BICHOLIM:Around 1,700-odd villagers from Maulinguem, Mayem constituency in Bicholim taluka has decided to boycott the upcoming Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections in protest against the government’s apathy in solving their problems.
The residents pointed out to the numerous unresolved issues in the village and said neither the MLA nor is the Chief Minister bothered about their problems. In view of this, the residents have unanimously decided not to vote for any candidate.
The village falls in Karapur-Sarvan ZP constituency and there four candidates.
“We were elected three years ago but no development work is being undertaken in the village. There are no roads, no panchayat building, and no jobs. We have forwarded all the files but no work is being sanctioned. We want to know as to why there is no development in the village and the CM should answer our questions. The local MLA has never visited the village after the elections and every time he just gives false assurances,” said local panch, Jyoti Maulingkar.
Another panch, Shiva Gaonkar added, “In this village, there are problems with electricity, water, land, roads and houses. For all the work, the departments need NOCs but from whom should we take the NOCs? The CM should visit the village and assure us that these issues would be resolved.”
“MLA Pravin Zantye has not visited this village even now during the elections,” quipped local resident Saju Mayekar.
“It is surprising that even after the CM lives so close to the village, he has always ignored this village. We are living like tribals in this village and no one is bothered about us. Neither the CM nor the MLA is listening to the panch members. They should remember that if we don’t vote, we can defeat their candidate. We don’t want verbal assurances only written ones. Or they can postpone the elections and once the works are done we will vote,” added local resident Deepak Sarnaik.
