Curca Sarpanch admits to political interference
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MERCES, APRIL 25
Curca Sarpanch Subhash Dias on Sunday publicly admitted that due to political interference, the panchayat was unable to act on illegalities in the village.
Sarpanch Dias made the statement at the gram sabha while replying to villager Manguesh Kuttikar’s question, who sought to know why the panchayat is hesitant to act on rampant illegalities despite his several pleas against the same.
Later speaking to Herald, Sarpanch Dias reiterated the fact that those who are indulging in illegalities use their political clout and pressurize panchayat authorities from taking any action.
Earlier, Manguesh Kuttikar informed that in the draft Regional Plan 2021, it was suggested that no construction activity should be allowed in orchards and forest areas. But, ignoring the same several construction activities are being undertaken in the village in areas which are notified as orchards and forest areas in the draft RP.
He cited one example, where one person, despite being denied permission to set up a farm house, has begun construction of a bungalow in the area in gross violation of all the rules and regulations in place.
Manguesh also pleaded with the panchayat to act on illegalities on its own and not to wait to receive objection from the villagers.
Taking up the issue of Curca spring, Manguesh said it is a heritage of the village, which needs to be conserved for future generation. He then reprimanded the panchayat authorities for ignoring the spring and demanded that steps be immediately taken to restore the spring to its past glory, and making it a tourist spot.
Dilip Kuttikar suggested that water from the Curca spring could be harvested, which would benefit the villagers to a large extent and help in solving the water woes of the village.
Manguesh also moved a resolution urging the panchayat to use the area, which was earlier acquired by the government for Central jail, to develop sports infrastructure for the benefit of the village youth.
The issue of panchayat ghar was also hotly demanded and villagers suggested that the authorities immediately take steps to get a renovated premises for the panchayat, as the current premises is hardly enough to accommodate the panchayat staff and other officials.
On the issue of identifying a garbage disposal site for Curca, no clear consensus could be reached as the villagers were not in favour of allowing the site to be set up in the area, since they felt that the site would be used only for dumping garbage and not for treating the garbage.
