Erratic power, water supply issues dominate Betalbatim meet
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 5
Frequent power and water supply breakdowns dominated the gram sabha meeting of the Betalbatim Panchayat on Sunday.
Members demanded to know from the Sarpanch the reasons behind the low water pressure to the residents of the village. They also demanded to know when the roads dug up for the underground cabling would be restored and by which agency.
Sarpanch Minguel Pereira informed the members that he is in receipt of the letter from the PWD officials, attributing the breakdown in water supply and low water pressure to the interruption in the power supply at the Selaulim treatment plant.
Since the PWD letter also suggested to the Panchayat to provide suitable area for the construction of an overhead water reservoir in the village, the gram sabha has decided to identify open space for the proposed water reservoir.
On the 11KV underground cabling, members protested over the delays in restoring the road dug up for the cabling work and demanded early restoration of the roads.
Many a gram sabha members were on their feet asking why no action had been taken against a new hotel and a large commercial piggery in a residential area for dumping garbage indiscriminately. The members were later informed that another site inspection with the Health Officer would be held within ten days and a show cause notice issued to the parties.
The Sarpanch has assured the members that business establishments in the village would be asked to furnish the details of their garbage contractor and the disposal mechanism.
In response to widespread condemnation of large commercial housing projects that have come up in the village, Sarpanch Minguel Pereira promised the members that henceforth the Panchayat will not forward any commercial project proposal before obtaining approval of the Gram Sabha. The resolution was unanimously approved amid loud applause from the members.
