Team Herald
PANJIM: Chimbel Sarpanch Sandesh Shirodkar, on Sunday dismissed reports of 70 illegal borewells in Ward No 7, stating that the area does not even have 70 houses.
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This came after concerns were raised by Chimbel residents about the presence of 70 allegedly unauthorised borewells in the area during the gram sabha meeting.
“The panchayat has not issued any permissions for any borewells,” Shirodkar clarified. “I’ am saying that if there are not even 70 houses, how could there be 70 borewells? To the best of my knowledge, there are no 70 illegal borewells in the area,” he asserted.
However, when pressed further, he admitted that he was unaware of the exact number of illegal borewells in the locality.
Later, speaking to reporters, activist Anna Gracias said, “The Water Resources Department (WRD) has done a good job by carrying out the inspection. During the inspection, many people were inside their homes but had locked them from the outside. I believe further inspections are needed, as I am confident there are more than 100 illegal borewells in the area.”
Earlier this week, the WRD issued notices to the owners of 70 illegal borewells discovered to have been dug without authorisation in Chimbel.
Discussions also centred around a proposed project near the Hindu crematorium, the issue of garbage, and a potential utility mall. A resolution was passed calling for a joint inspection of the crematorium with officials from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and the complainant.
Addressing reporters, Sarpanch Shirodkar explained, “There were three proposals brought to the gram sabha, the issue of the crematorium, the garbage, and the utility mall. A resolution has been passed to conduct an inspection of the crematorium with officials from the TCP Department and the complainant.”
He added, “As for the garbage, it originates from the neighbouring Panchayat, not from Chimbel, but unnecessarily, our panchayat’s name is being tarnished. This matter was discussed in the gram sabha. Regarding the utility mall, I informed the members that the Panchayat has not received any proposal related to it. I have made it clear that the Panchayat is with the people. If the people do not want it, we will not grant permission.”
“I stated clearly that unless a proposal is presented to the Panchayat, we cannot make a decision on it,” he reiterated.
Shirodkar also rejected the claim by the WRD regarding the existence of 70 illegal borewells, asserting that there cannot possibly be such a large number of unauthorised borewells in the area.
In addition to these discussions, the meeting also covered issues such as speed bumps, the playground, bus stop, roads, and the local market. One attendee pointed out that while the State government has ignored villagers’ demands for a school and a playground, it seems more intent on pushing forward projects that do not benefit the community.
