SANCOALE: Sancoale panchayat has Rs 7 crore in the bank of which Rs 5 crore is in fixed deposits; the panchayat had collected Rs 37 lakh as garbage collection fees last year. This was revealed in the annual budget of the Gram sabha on Sunday.
The Panchayat members expressed their helplessness in resolving the garbage problem. The sarpanch lost his temper when people started asking the panchayat body what they have done about the garbage issue. The sarpanch claims that there is no place to segregate garbage since all the site that were suggested was opposed by people living around the site.
Interesting, only Ward No 1 did not face problems, since the residents segregate their own garbage. The local panchayat member explained how her ward manages its garbage effectively. However, other members did not show any interest in replicating the model. One villager suggested that Zuari industries must be compelled to give around 5000 sq mts of land for setting up a garbage segregation unit. The discussion went on for nearly an hour but without any concrete outcome.
The other major issue that was discussed at the gram sabha was the mega projects behind the MES College. One villager explained that initially, the campaign was against movement of heavy vehicles in the area and construction work carried out at night because of which residents couldn’t sleep. At the same time they were experiencing power fluctuations and water supply shortages.
Initially, only the people living around the construction sites were experiencing problems, but that soon spread to the rest of the wards and village. The residents claimed that when they began their protest, the PWD started providing them 24 hours water supply but internally and the official has informed them that this is done only to keep them silent and once the projects are complete, they will start having restricted water supply.
The Sarpanch passed a resolution that the panchayats are against these projects and also informed them that since 2017, they have not given permission for the building of more than 4 flats. However, he also stated that he can’t revoke the license given by the previous panchayat body and that he would consult the lawyer to see what action can be taken.
However, this did not satisfy the villagers. They questioned whether any feasibility certificate was given by PWD and electricity department. “Presently there are 500 houses that are getting just 2 hours water a day. 74 MLD is supplied to the whole of Mormugao but this one project required 2.2 MLD of water. If the project comes up, can 500 houses compete with 5000 flats? We want our basic rights, we are not against mega project,” said a villager.
The villagers also questioned whether the construction license to these projects can be revoked since they had only a 5 meter access road instead of a 10 meter access road mandated under the rules. The Sarpanch responded that he would have to consult the lawyer.
Another villager claimed that he lives in a small complex where the PWD hasn’t given water connection for last 8 years. “How will PWD give water for flats of the upcoming projects,” he asked.
