PANJIM: Once an electoral constituency of prominent politician Dr Jack De Sequeira, St Cruz has otherwise not earned good repute over the past decades. The sense of fear is still in the air owing to continuous presence of ‘goonda raj’. Not to overlook poor infrastructure plaguing this village, located in close proximity of Panjim.
A late night fatal firing in the middle of a residential area in June 2020 was a clear indication that prevallate night fatal firing in the middle of a residential area in June 2020 was a clear indication that prevalence of criminal activities is an ongoing process. “There is absolutely no fear of law in St Cruz. We have thieves to murderers living in our village. The accused on bail roam freely as if they are the kings,” said 68-year-old Souza, requesting to withhold his first name.
The senior citizen claimed that young boys prefer to socialise with persons involved in crimes, assuming they will have an edge over others. However, he said, “They do not realise that education and positive approach towards things will take them further, not dadagiri or goondaraj.”
The village, that got a boost owing to the setting up of integrated school complex with shared facilities, suffers from lack of basics like good roads, water supply and electricity. “We don’t have underground cabling due to which during the rains or cyclone-effects, there is interrupted power supply. Water supply is not consistent except for one ward where the supply is 24×7. The remaining wards get water every alternate day and for certain hours only. It is a problem for the working women,” resident of St Augustine ward Andrea Pereira said.
The Panchayat Ghar, ironically, ends from where it begins. Melvyn Martins complained that elected representatives pay no focus to the needs of the villagers and the example is a poorly existing Panchayat Ghar.
“It’s a one room Panchayat Ghar. The room has been partitioned to make small cabins for Sarpanch, Secretary and Talathi. There are around four staffs sitting outside the cabins,” he said.
What’s also unfortunate is that closure of a co-operative bank three years ago, has created a difficult situation for senior citizens who would pay their utility bills here. Pereira said that no banks in the village accept the payments forcing the senior citizens to travel to Panjim. “No everyone is well versed with the online payment system,” she said.
