MARGAO: Even as all the three lady panchas of Assolna panchayat were not present for the gram sabha, a deficit budget was approved by those gathered who animatedly discussed some of the projects in the village and vehemently opposed any plans to construct a port at Betul.
Sarpanch Pedrinha Cardozo was not present for the gram sabha due to health reasons and had furnished a doctor’s letter while Merlyn Noronha was also not present due to illness. The third lady panch Framila Almeida was also absent for the gram sabha.
The villagers approved the budget of Rs 44.75 lakh expenditure with receipts projected at only Rs 37.61 lakh. Government grants to the tune of nearly Rs 20 lakh was from where the major receipts would come while major expenditure to the tune of Rs 17 lakhs would be for administration.
The villagers demanded that the panchayat ghar be maintained specially since Rs 2 lakh are provided for it. They said the tiles should be replaced and also the balcony if possible as it would be many years before the new panchayat ghar would be ready. Panch Savio Fereira revealed that the new panchayat ghar is proposed near the Government Primary School close to the police station and said that the file in this regard is in order and only government funds were awaited.
One person belonging to the fisher folk community sought to know the progress made on the fish drying spot to be created which was resolved four years back. Even as other villagers suggested that this issue be resolved as soon as possible as the drying of fish on roadside was causing a major problem, the Secretary agreed to pass on the information to the villager.
The gram sabha was thrown in a tizzy when it was revealed that in four files, the NOC issued by the panchayat to purchase fish boxes had mysteriously disappeared and that the Fisheries Department had not approved the subsidy as the letter was missing. The secretary was directed to check the records and take necessary action.
It was also suggested that CCTV cameras be installed along the new Assolna-Cavelossim bridge as the bridge had become a hot spot of illegal and undesirable activities with people throwing bottles into the river along with a lot of waste.
The refusal of fish vendors to occupy the market constructed for them was discussed at length. It was suggested that the two shops used by the Electricity Department to store material be taken back for housing the fish vendors.
