PONDA: At the Kavlem Gram Sabha chaired by Sarpanch Manuja Naik on Sunday, several critical issues were discussed and raised by the members.
One of the primary concerns voiced by villagers was the need to diversify revenue sources for the panchayat. They emphasised that relying solely on house taxes could place an undue burden on residents. Instead, the suggestion was made to impose sopo taxes on street vendors and recover taxes from businesses operating along roadsides. This move is seen as a way to enhance revenue without disproportionately impacting the community.
A significant discussion point centred around the issue of businesses, particularly migrant workers, operating without paying the requisite sopo taxes. Villagers stressed the importance of proper tax collection to ensure fair contributions from all businesses operating within the village.
Deputy Sarpanch Sushant Kapileshwarkar received commendation during the meeting for effectively addressing the problem of wet garbage. The panchayat has allocated land for the construction of a shed dedicated to segregating wet garbage, showcasing a proactive approach to waste management.
Attendance at gram sabha meetings emerged as a concern, with villagers noting poor participation. To address this, community members suggested implementing awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements, ward notices, and WhatsApp groups to ensure broader attendance and community engagement.
Other topics discussed included the assessment of house taxes through proper surveys before any rate increases, the collection of one month’s rent from rented rooms, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a newly established goshala at Nirankal to address the persistent issue of stray cattle.
Villagers also emphasised the collective responsibility of maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing village environment. This involves proper waste disposal, encouragement of home composting, and discouraging littering on roadsides.
Concerns were raised about the closure of primary schools, prompting a call for measures to prevent further shutdowns. Additionally, discussions touched on infrastructure issues related to the construction of a bypass road, stressing the need for effective rainwater outlets, gutter construction, and rectification of errors during underground cabling.
Electricity infrastructure concerns were also raised, particularly regarding the placement of new poles during underground cabling, causing obstructions. Villagers urged the removal of empty cable reels dumped on roadsides, posing risks to pedestrians.
