Swachh Bharat Mission has been initially started with the villages. Hence, it is absolutely necessary that the village jurisdiction is kept neat and tidy. However, we notice garbage at various locations in the villages thereby defeating the basic purpose of maintaining cleanliness at the respective jurisdictions.
At the villages of Adpai and Durbhat in Ponda, garbage is being dumped inside the drains, nullahs and also in open areas. No doubt, household collection of garbage has been introduced at this jurisdiction. Still people behave as per their whims and dump garbage here and there. The drains and nullahs are being cleared by the local village jurisdiction only once a year in the name of pre-monsoon work which is mostly undertaken in mid-July or August (instead of competing the same by May 31 which is the official prescribed period for completing it in all respects).
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
On other occasions, the same remain almost neglected. At Adpai, residents often dump garbage behind the Goa State Co-operative Bank Ltd along the Adpai Jetty as also behind Shree Datta Mandap along the way leading towards Ganesh immersion site. On many occasions, the dumped garbage is seen burning, with no practical action on the part of the Village Panchayat of Adpai-Durbhat in disposing the same in an appropriate manner.
The nullah existing opposite the premises of this village panchayat as also in the vicinity of Shree Somnath Temple have been often noticed in a pitiful condition.
The nullah at the Durbhat Bazaar is no exception in this regard. Even the area along the Durbhat jetty is not spared. The existing situation turns unhygienic for pedestrians and travellers alike.
In reality, it was necessary for the local MLA Sudin Dhavalikar to take the lead in assuring cleanliness at this jurisdiction with clear directions to the Village Panchayat of Adpai-Durbhat. But nothing of this sort has materialised and situation in this serious matter has been deteriorating day by day.
The Directorate of Panchayats as a competent authority should take a note of this sensitive matter and depute its representatives to the village jurisdictions in the State in order to get acquainted with the existing unhygienic situation.
Unless hygienic conditions are maintained, it will be difficult to maintain healthy conditions at the respective villages. Merely holding cleanliness drives cannot serve the basic purpose.
What is more important is initiating concerted efforts in maintaining cleanliness on a permanent basis so that the jurisdiction appears neat and tidy. Unless, the elected representatives at the respective villages tackle this matter with utmost seriousness, it would be difficult to achieve ‘Swachhata’ in its right meaning and spirit. Of course, village panchayats must strive to achieve favourable results in this regard at all costs.
