PANJIM: The Taleigao gram sabha on Sunday discussed issues such as sewerage, roads, water and equal status for the Roman script in the Official Language Act however, no resolutions were passed with regard to any of the issues.
Speaking during the gram sabha, Xavier Almeida said that a resolution be adopted asking for equal status to Romi script of Konkani as most of the panchayats in the state have already adopted resolutions.
Supporting him, Advocate Albertina Almeida said she has already given a letter to the panchayat regarding the resolution which is proposed to be passed.
“We as a people want this resolution to be passed,” she said. Almeida pointed out that already 33 panchayats have adopted resolutions asking for equal status to Romi script along with Devanagari.
Responding to the proposal, Panchayat Secretary Gaurish Pednekar said a letter to this regard will be written to the government.
Xavier also brought it to the notice of the gram sabha that some builders are releasing construction water in paddy fields which is destroying crops especially vegetables and suggested that there should be a clause that the violators be penalised.
Another Taleigao resident said that the issue of sewage has been discussed in various gram sabhas but nothing has happened.
“To become the best panchayat in the State, there must not be discharge of sewage in the fields,” he said and asked, “Has the panchayat done a survey to find out how many households have septic tanks or where do they discharge sewage?.
He said there has to be STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) and all the households should be connected to it.
Almeida also raised concern regarding wires dangling from trees or electricity poles and demanded that some rules be put in place.
Cecile Rodrigues argued that cutting of trees for road widening was only to help the builder lobby and not the citizens..
“What is the point of widening the roads if you cannot maintain narrow roads?,” she asked.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Talaigao Sarpanch Maria Fernandes said, “Our village panchayat is working like a team and we are trying to solve problems from day one. Availability of water is not a problem of Taleigao only but of entire Goa. People across the state are facing the problem. Our MLA Jennifer Monserate has spoken to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with regards to providing water to projects coming up in the panchayat.”
Taleigao Gram Sabha witnesses heated arguments
PANJIM: The Taleigao Gram Sabha meeting on Sunday turned into a heated argument as residents expressed their anger towards the panchayat body for failing to address various pressing issues. The village is currently facing problems such as water shortages, illegal hill cutting, and concerns over new construction projects. Despite these concerns, the Sarpanch refused to take any resolution on the matters, further fueling the residents’ frustration.
Speaking to reporters, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Cecile Rodrigues said, ” We raised three issues namely 39 (A), widening of ten metre roads and sewage issue. Why do we require ten metre wide road?. The main approval is for six meters. You give permission only when there is a builder lobby that wants to construct big building. We all know why this ten metre road is being pushed.”
“Construction is happening one after another and because of that there is a problem of water, electricity, sewage and garbage,” she said.
Francis Coelho, another AAP leader said said,” We are putting forward proposals but the Sarpanch does not speak. When we ask questions, she says ask Secretary or someone else. Panch members too are not opening their mouth. Everybody accepted 39 (A) of Town and Country Planning (TCP) but nobody spoke on that nor supported it. Whatever proposals we put forward, the Gram Sabha does not take a resolution on that. This Taleigao panchayat and Gram Sabha are a complete farce,” he said.
