Team Herald
SIOLIM: The Gram Sabha (GS) members of Sodiem-Siolim panchayat hit out at the Tillari Irrigation project for being more of a curse than a blessing, as it was leaking and has destroyed agricultural fields. They also demanded that the area around the Tillari canal be fenced as wild and domestic animals fall into the channel. As most of the traditional pathways in the fields were blocked, the members advised Sarpanch Deepa Pednekar to refer to the old cadastral plan and open the pathways.
GS member Peter D’Souza asked the panchayat to maintain quality control over the retaining walls and culverts being constructed in the village and an affidavit be taken from the contractors, so they be pulled up if something is found faulty. D’Souza also brought to the notice of the meeting that a drone survey be conducted in the village so that no new constructions take place in the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) area of Tillari Irrigation project and if done so, it should be demolished. The members also objected to the erection of mobile towers which were permitted by the previous panchayat body.
The issue of drugs and substance abuse at Podnir, Bandhkarwaddo, Tillari irrigation site and three other places was the matter of heated discussions. Gram Sabha members alleged that the Mapusa police were dragging its feet in the matter and directed the Panchayat to write to the SP- North Goa, ANC and Crime Branch to conduct raids and arrest peddlers and those consuming drugs, as lot of villagers have also taken to peddling in the absence of jobs.
