TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PORVORIM: The issue of illegal constructions and illegal activities in Porvorim dominated the Penha de Franca Gram Sabha on Sunday.
The Gram Sabha witnessed heated discussions on the issues with villagers blaming the panchayat for not taking strict action against illegal constructions and activities.
Agnel Pereira said the no-objection certificate issued by the panchayat to a hotel near the church in Britona has long expired, but the business activities of the hotel are still going on.
Pereira further said that as per the documents obtained by him under Right of Information, the hotel has been constructed illegally. He sought to know why the panchayat has still not taken any action against the hotel. Pereira also sought reply against numerous illegal constructions brought to the notice of panchayat by him.
The panchayat secretary replied that he has initiated action against illegal constructions and in some cases panchayat has also requested for the demolition squad.
Ganpat Sidhye brought to the notice of the panchayat that several small houses have been built illegally in haphazard manner on the hillock at Halliwada. “The panchayat should immediately take action against these illegal houses, failing which more houses will come up in the long run and it will become a slum area,” said Sidhye.
Bhiku Sawant said the bus stop near Teen Building, opposite Yamuna Super Store, is being used for business activities. “This bus stop should be demolished as it creates problem for vehicular traffic,” demanded Sawant.
Sawant further demanded that signboards depicting the way to panchayat office should be erected near Mandovi Bridge and also on the Porvorim plateau for the benefit of the people.
Issues regarding garbage collection, street lights, cleaning of gutters, trimming of bushes, removal of illegal kiosks, etc, were also discussed. Later, two supervisory committees as required under Panchayat Raj Act were formed.
Earlier, Sarpanch Blanch D’Souza welcomed the gathering and Panchayat Secretary Vipin Korgaonkar read the minutes of the meeting held on April 28.
