Team Herald
BENAULIM: A hue and cry was witnessed over the issue of the proposed Benaulim Health Centre site at the Benaulim Special Gram Sabha held on Tuesday.
The Benaulim residents and social activist Rudolf Barretto informed Herald that after the annual flag hoisting ceremony, the Benaulim Village Development Committee (VDC) submitted their plans for availing the Rs 1.5 crore funds received from the 14th Finance Commission.
“The plans placed before the Gram Sabha were approved. The proposed Benaulim Health Centre was also discussed wherein they were certain objections from the local residents as the site belonged to the Institute of Public Assistance Provedoria and according to those opposing it, this site cannot be used for construction purpose,” informed Barretto.
There was chaos when Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudessai in an arbitrary manner concluded the meeting. Angry villagers questioned the newly elected Sarpanch Vencila Fernandes as to how the Deputy Sarpanch could adjourn the meeting when she was chairing it. Nine panchas of the 11-member panchayat attended the meeting,” he added.
Non-functional
streetlights steal
limelight at Assolna
ASSOLNA: Issues such as the non-functional LED streetlights, the social audit of the Fair Price shops by the Directorate of Civil Supplies, illegal kiosks (Gaddas) in the market area, the installation of no smoking/no spitting signages at the public places and the Road Safety Committee took the centre stage at the Assolna Special Gram Sabha held, on Tuesday.
Assolna Sarpanch Xavier Almeida informed that six members of the seven-member panchayat were present.
“One panch has resigned as he migrated to United Kingdom but the election has not been held due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Also one of the Road Safety Committee members had expired and this vacant post was filled at the Special Gram Sabha held after the annual flag hoisting ceremony. Issues such as the non-functional LED streetlights were discussed as it has been over four-five months that the panchayat is receiving complaints from the ward members and local residents particularly regarding the two LED lights installed at the junctions that have not been replaced. The Electricity Department claims of manpower shortage of personnel like linesmen. The panchayat has offered to purchase the required material from its funds,” Almeida mentioned.
The Assolna sarpanch added, “The circular from the Directorate of Civil Supplies for an audit of the Fair Price shops was also discussed wherein an inspection will be conducted. Further, the issue of the gaddas in the market area was also discussed. The panchayat had issued a notice to remove these gaddas with a letter submitted to the Block Development Office (BDO) as well as police protection was sought to remove them. But the gadda has now shifted to another location. Also it was decided to install signages of no smoking and no spitting in the public places.”
Colva Biodiversity
report presented at special gram Sabha
COLVA: The biodiversity report of the Colva Village Panchayat was presented at the Special Gram Sabha, held on Tuesday.
Colva Sarpanch Anthony (Mam) Fernandes mentioned that following the flag hoisting function, the village biodiversity committee submitted the report comprising of the inputs and suggestions of the villagers expressing concerns regarding the nearby lake and seeking that proper drainages be constructed to avoid flooding. The football ground controversy was also raked up during the Special Gram Sabha that was attended by only two panchas.
Interestingly, there were no major discussions at the Orlim, Ambelim and Chinchinim Special Gram Sabhas held on the same day. While the Orlim Sarpanch Tamica D’Silva informed Herald that all panchas were present for the flag hoisting ceremony.
Ambelim Sarpanch Denica Correia said, “Three panchas had intimated of their absence. Resolutions were passed regarding the desilting of nullahs and drains under the MGNREGA Scheme. Earlier, canals were desilted by the Water Resources department (WRD).”
Chinchinim Deputy Sarpanch Valentino Barretto said that only two points were listed on the agenda for this Special Gram Sabha – the social audit of the Fair Price shops requested by the Directorate of Civil Supplies and the no tobacco (COPTA) oath.
Three Betalbatim
SSC toppers
felicitated
BETALBATIM: Three SSC toppers from St Jude High School, Betalbatim were felicitated at the Betalbatim Panchayat Special Gram Sabha, held on Tuesday.
Betalbatim Sarpanch Constancio Miranda said that after a brief prayer service and the annual flag hoisting function, the three first rankers — Vaishnavi Shembade (85 per cent), Shirlyn Silva (83 per cent) and Sheryl Miranda (82 per cent) – who excelled at the Goa Board Examination in April 2020 from St Jude HS, Betalbatim were felicitated on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day.
“An oath regarding the non usage of tobacco was recited to those present. The memorandum received from the Directorate of Civil Supplies regarding a social audit of the Fair Price shops in the village was discussed. All the panchas attended the meeting,” informed Miranda.
