Team Herald
VASCO: Chaos marred Cansaulim Arossim Cuelim (CAC) gram sabha over the issue of chocked nullahs and water bodies in panchayat area. Hosts of other crucial issues were debated during the gram sabha that witnessed noisy scenes and chaos, on Sunday.
The issue of blocking of traditional storm water drains, other water bodies passing through some private fields at Arrossim and attempts being made to divert the traditional drains was raised by gram sabha member Anthony D’Silva. He also raised his fear that such attempts to block traditional storm water drains would lead to flood like situation in the village and therefore he and other gram sabha members demanded that the panchayat identity the nullahs, water bodies, orchards etc and to restore them back.
To this, Sarpanch Martha Saldanha informed that the regional plan of the village is having all such details and the same has been displayed in panchayat office. She also informed that the talathi concerned has been asked to get a copy of old map to compare whether the new map has all old traditional storm water drains, water bodies etc and then to take appropriate action after inspecting sites where nullahs or traditional waterways through private fields are blocked, however, the same would take some time.
On the other hand irked gram sabha member’s complained that they had already submitted their complaints before all the agencies concerned some 15 days ago about blocked storm water drains/ blocking of bundhs at Arrossim by some private party.
However, no action has been taken yet to clear the same and there is a high possibility of flood like situation in the village. Threatening to launch protest, gram sabha members vowed not to allow private parties to block natural drains.
The issue of garbage menace in the village was also another major issue discussed at the gram sabha. Sarpanch Martha Saldanha blamed the former panchayat body for doing nothing in resolving the issue.
Gram sabha members also presented a photo of garbage dumped outside a starred hotel in the village with the claim that the said hotel has been dumping their waste in the open.
To this, Saldanha informed that it is the people who have been dumping their waste near the starred hotel and the hotel wants to help in curbing the menace.
from village and from the beach area.
She also informed that to track illegal dumping of waste, panchayat would soon install CCTV cameras at certain important locations, besides the panchayat would impose fine of Rs 5000 for illegal dumping of garbage by the people.
Saldanha further appealed to the gram sabha members to give her more time to set things in order as she has just completed one month as sarpanch.
