PONDA: The Durbhat Gram Sabha witnessed noisy scenes on Sunday after villagers accused the panchayat members for failing to undertaken developmental works in the village.
Referring to the recent incident involving protests by residents over the absence of street lights along the approach road at the Adpoi ferry wharf, villagers claimed that the Panchayat had initiated steps only after a public protest and that too, the work was not satisfactory.
According to information, the Adpoi-Rasai ferry commences some two years ago, but the approach road to the ferry wharf had not been illuminated. Recent crimes in the area had prompted residents to demand the installation of street lights.
“It is not advisable to install wooden poles used in construction activity. The Panchayat though took the initiative, but it is not satisfactory,” remarked a villager, who sought to know why 16 wooden poles were installed along the approach road.
Admitting his fault, Sarpanch Ganpat Naik assured to replace the wooden poles with concrete poles and a resolution was also passed to approach the department concerned in this connection.
“As a temporary measure, wooden poles were installed to pass an electricity wire from Adpoi to the ferry wharf. At the moment lights are installed only at the ferry wharf and as demanded, we will remove the wooden poles,” said Naik.
Residents also questioned Panchayat members on why the long-pending demand for a playground had not been solved even though the land has been already identified. In his reply, Naik informed that resolutions passed had been forwarded to the government and that the matter was being followed up by the panchayat.
“I feel there is no use in passing resolutions as Panchayat is least bothered to undertake the works or even follow up the matter with authorities in order to get works done. Two years back, a resolution was passed to installed speed-breakers at the junction along the Adpoi ferry wharf approach road, but nothing has been done,” complained a villager, Prashant Naik.
The absence of most panchas during flag hoisting ceremony on Liberation Day was also discussed at the meeting, as residents were unhappy that only three of the seven panchas were present during the flag hoisting ceremony.
