Team Herald
PERNEM: The Agarwada-Chopdem gram sabha on Sunday witnessed heated discussions on illegal sand mining, house tax and water-logging issues.
The locals raised the illegal sand mining in Chapora River and accused the panchayat of turning a blind eye to the activity.
Directing the panchayat to stop the illegal sand mining immediately, the gram sabha passed a resolution instructing the local body to file a complaint before the Mines Department and other authorities concerned to initiate action against the illegal sand extractors.
The gram sabha was informed that to transport the illegally extracted sand, a road has been built by cutting off mangroves. Following this allegation, the sarpanch said that he would file a complaint about this to Pernem Police.
On the issue of house tax, the gram sabha was informed that the panchayat has not been collecting tax from many houses.
Locals informed that house tax is major concern to the people since there are many structures in the village of which the panchayat is not taking any tax.
The locals further demanded that based on structural size of house, tax should be levied. The panchayat resolved to conduct survey in the village to identify houses according to size and structure based on which tax will be collected. It was also resolved that each panchas will create awareness in his/her ward and ensure complete collection of tax.
Avinash Gaonkar, a local raised the issue of water logging, causing inconvenience to the school students. Gaonkar informed that due to logging of water on road near Government Primary High school Chopdem, the school children’s are facing difficulty in walking through the water to reach the school.
He further demanded that if the panchayat does not take any action before August 15, then he along with school students will protest in front of the panchayat. However, acting Sarpanch Nitin Chopdekar assured to resolve the problem before August 15.
