TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Betalbatim Sarpanch Maria Esperanca Fernandes was caught unaware at the Sunday gram sabha over the issue of BSNL mobile tower erected near the panchayat office when she maintained that she is unaware that power supply connection to the tower unit was given from the panchayat office.
Gram sabha grilled the Sarpanch on action taken on the resolution adopted at last gram sabha over the power supply issue to the BSNL cellular tower, which villagers alleged had been illegally erected and with illegal power supply connection given by the panchayat body. There was a unanimous demand from the gram sabha members that power connection be immediately disconnected and after a long debate the sarpanch promised that their demand shall be met disconnecting the connection on Monday February 24.
Villagers accused the panchayat body for failure to work for the development of village alleging that promises made by sarpanch at garm sabha had not been kept.
Local MLA Micky Pacheco who was present on the dais had also to face questions from the gram sabha members over the failure of panchayat body to carry out development in village. Villagers questioned the sarpanch Fernandes over issuing of NOC for construction of Cottages at Sonarvada beach. Gram Sabha members alleged that the road behind a resort was being used for illegal activities by unscrupulous elements demanding action.
Question was also raised on delay of land being acquired along the coast for the benefit of fishermen while on issue of garbage problem sarpanch claimed that the Goa Pollution Control Board had rejected the land identified for garbage disposal being low lying.
The villagers also were informed that the panchayat body has resolved to develop and widen all village roads further informing that the body has been working to solve the garbage problem in village.
The villagers were informed that proposals had been submitted for garbage collection from beach as well as village for government approval.
