Team Herald
PONDA: Five of the 11 panchas of Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem held a meeting along with locals opposing the village body’s decision to set up COVID Care Centre in the panchayat hall.
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Panch Laxmikant Khedekar said, “Though we attended the panchayat meeting on COVID crisis, the final decision was not taken at that time and issue was just discussed.”
Citing reasons for opposing the move, he said, “Below panchayat hall building there is market and the decision to use the panchayat hall as COVID Care Centre has affected vendors’ business. Vendors and customers fear to visit the market. They say the COVID Centre should be shifted to isolated place or to nearby COVID Care Centre at Farmagudi which is close to panchayat. The locals say there is no need for a COVID Care Centre in village.”
When asked for his reaction, sarpanch Pandurang Gaude said he is surprised over sudden opposition to the panchayat decision.
He said, “The decision was unanimously taken at the panchayat meeting and the proposal has already been submitted to the government for approval. Dr Madu Ghodkirekar had guided the locals on the issue. Some want to politicise the issue by opposing the panchayat decision.”
He said, “A few days ago following the rise in COVID cases, there was panic among the people in the area. The panchayat held urgent meeting wherein the panchas had unanimously passed resolution to arrange temporary accommodation facility for COVID positive patients in the panchayat hall till government ambulance ferries them to COVID Hospital.”
“Now, suddenly some Panchas are opposing it. All panchas should fight COVID-19 unitedly . There is lot of time for politics. This decision was taken in interest of the villagers. We have even bought the necessary medical equipment including PPE, Oximeter etc, and have even created awareness and are getting people’s support,” he added.
