Team Herald
ANJUNA: The much-hyped adjourned gram sabha of the Anjuna village witnessed heated arguments over noise pollution and loud music but passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.
Anjuna PI Suraj Gauns was present with his entire team to maintain law and order.
As this was an adjourned gram sabha, no fresh business was taken up and it was a continuation of the incomplete business of the last gram sabha.
Janet Moraes raised the issue of loud music and noise pollution and highlighted the fact that clubs and restaurants were disturbing the peace of the village by playing music deafening music beyond the stipulated hours.
She was supported by Ana Fernandes and others. This issue witnessed some tense moments with the Sarpanch stating that action was being taken against such clubs and restaurants and the matter was being monitored by the Courts. He said that if any such cases exist, then the onus was on the police to take action.
Residents pointed out that many individuals or some companies taken approval for residential and domestic ventures and were using the same for commercial activity and this was a burden on the village infrastructure and members urged the panchayat to stop issuing licences to such projects in the future.
Satyawan Harmalkar raised the issue of roadside outlets being set up, especially by migrants and urged the panchayat to initiate action against such vendors as it was a major traffic nuisance.
On the issue of stray cattle, the Sarpanch informed that the panchayat was in touch with the gaushala from Sinquerim and Mayem and hoped for a positive solution.
Uday Lingudkar raised the issue of misuse of the panchayat sports ground and highlighted the fact that the ground should be used as a launch pad for budding sportsmen and not be misused and the panchayat must be strict on this.
The GTDC project at Anjuna also came in for criticism from the villagers with many stating that the gates erected there were inconveniencing the locals with the Sarpanch informing them that he would ensure the gates are removed.
Taxes hiked at Betalbatim
Team Herald
MARGAO: The village panchayat of Betalbhatim, during its gram sabha held on Sunday, passed a resolution to increase taxes.
In addition to this, gram sabha members urged the panchayat to begin the collection of wet waste alongside the existing collection of dry waste.
The meeting, chaired by Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes, saw detailed discussions regarding the tax hike. According to the resolution passed, the revised tax rates include increases in commercial tax, garbage tax, and house tax.
The issue of waste collection was deliberated upon. Gram sabha members emphasized the importance of also collecting wet waste to address the ongoing garbage management challenges in the village.
Seraulim locals sore with Railways over land acquisition process
Team Herald
MARGAO: During the gram sabha meeting held on Sunday, villagers and landowners from Seraulim voiced their strong objections to the alleged forced land acquisition process initiated by railway authorities.
The concerned residents demanded that the panchayat arrange a meeting to clarify and guide landowners regarding the issue.
The gram sabha, chaired by Leslie Dourado, Deputy Sarpanch saw active participation from a large number of villagers.
Villagers raised concerns that the railways had failed to inform landowners about the ongoing land mutation process for the expansion of the railway track in Seraulim. It was disclosed that a hearing for the mutation is scheduled for January 3.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the way the railway authorities had initiated the land acquisition process, both the villagers and landowners urged the panchayat to call for a meeting to provide necessary guidance. They requested that this meeting be held before the mutation hearing to ensure they can submit proper responses to the authorities.
The gram sabha also discussed the construction of sluice gates, with participants emphasizing the need for adopting modern techniques in their construction.