Team Herald
PONDA: The Kavalem Gramsabha, chaired by Sarpanch Manuja Naik, witnessed heated discussions on Sunday as villagers raised concerns over insufficient facilities for students and sportspersons in the village.
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The primary issue discussed was the lack of adequate playgrounds. While the village has one small playground near the Panchayat office, it does not cater to sports like football or cricket. The Gramsabha resolved that the Panchayat and school management should hold joint meetings to address this gap and develop better facilities.
Villager Sudeep Naik, supported by locals like Sanjay Dhavalikar, highlighted the changing priorities over the years. “Earlier, education was the only ambition, but today, students need facilities like exercise areas, walking tracks, and sports grounds to promote physical fitness and sports talent,” Sudeep pointed out.
With three high schools and higher secondary schools in the village, the absence of proper sports infrastructure has become a pressing issue. The villagers urged the Panchayat and authorities, including Sports Minister Govind Gaude and the Nehru Yuva Kendra, to focus on creating dedicated sports facilities in the village.
The discussion also touched upon waste management concerns, with villagers pointing out a significant gap between garbage tax collections and expenditures. The Panchayat currently collects only Rs 3 lakh as garbage tax, while spending Rs 17 lakh on waste collection, creating a financial strain.
Another topic of concern was the Panchayat crematorium, where Harishchandra Naik requested improved facilities and nominal charges for performing final rites.
Villagers suggested the acceptance of online applications for Gramsabha discussions. However, Panchayat Secretary Mayur Gaonkar explained that current laws do not permit such provisions.
Road safety emerged as another key concern, with residents expressing frustration over median dividers installed by highway authorities, which limit access to internal roads. The closure of the Khadpaband-Kavlem road was also criticised.
In light of these issues, locals called for the creation of more walking tracks, citing the risks of walking along highways for exercise.
