TEAM HERALD
SANGUEM: The Uguem gram sabha on Sunday resolved to ask the Goa State Pollution Control Board to take cognizance of the alleged dust and air pollution caused by a plant at Xelpem.
The gram sabha members alleged that due to the operation of the plant, which is in close vicinity of the Selaulim Dam, the drinking water supplied to them is severely affected with muddy water being supplied at many times.
The villagers claimed that heavy manganese contents are noted when the water is boiled, which the villagers alleged to be the effect of the factory in operation in the village. The villagers urged the panchayat to seek for a joint inspection of the factory premises.
The gram sabha members also resolved to demolish encroachments on open land by the allotees of plots at 20 Point Programme in the village. Villagers pointed out that some allotees developed the open lands into farm areas and brought the open land under cultivation illegally.
The villagers also brought to fore the projects that are likely to come up nearby a spring at Cottarli. The villagers urged the panchayat members to keep a vigilant eye over the project coming up nearby the spring and expressed fears of severe effects on the otherwise free flow of the spring water if the project is allowed to come up without any restrictions.
The issue of frequent snapping of power failure in the village was also highlighted.
The villagers resolved to ask the Electricity Department to continue power supply to the village from Xelpem as was hitherto done as against the present practice followed by the department to supply power to the Uguem villagers from Kalay.
The villagers pointed out that when the villagers were provided power supply from Xelpem Power Station, there was no problem faced by the villagers. However, since change in situation, the villagers are faced with frequent power supply.
