Team Herald
DRAMAPUR: The issue of relocation of mobile network towers and illegal roadside vendors and jurisdiction of Moddi and Fradilem Wards in Navelim dominated the Sirlim-Dramapur Panchayat gram sabha, on Sunday.
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Former panch Bernard Rebello said, “The ordinary gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Sanjana Chari was attended by over 50 villagers with two panchas absent. The annual Budget was approved by those present with no one opposing the proposed nominal hike in the house taxes for the old houses and the various income and other certificates provided by the village panchayat.”
“The main issue discussed in the ordinary gram sabha was the relocation of the mobile network towers situated near the Dramapur church ground as the gram sabha members opposed the installation at that site demanding that the towers be instead installed in a non-residential area,” said Bernard.
“Another issue deliberated pertained to that of the Moddi and Fradilem Wards that lie within the jurisdiction of the Navelim Village Panchayat though mentioned in the Form I & XIV as being part of the revenue village of Sirlim-Dramapur Village Panchayat that loses a substantial part of income to the Navelim Village Panchayat. The gram sabha members demanded that the Sirlim-Dramapur Panchayat write to the concerned authorities in this matter,” said Bernard, adding that the gram sabha members demanded that the annual tree pruning exercise be conducted at the earliest prior to the forthcoming monsoons.
“Also the issue of the illegal roadside vendors squatting alongside the highway was raised during the gram sabha as there is a court order directing that these vendors be removed. But the “sopo” contractors are in favour of these vendors though some gram sabha members sought that these vendors be removed as they are mostly non-Goans. Further, the gram sabha members sought that a trade tax be introduced so that the Sirlim-Dramapur Panchayat accrues an income from this trade instead of the vendors paying the “sopo” contractors a daily amount of Rs 10 or Rs 20 which amounts to Rs 10,000 annually,” informed Bernard.
