MARGAO: The South Goa Zilla Panchayat (ZP) convened its monthly meeting and made pivotal decisions to address the challenges faced by farmers experiencing decreased crop yields. Led by Chairperson Suvarna Tendulkar, the meeting focused on various issues, including the dire need for financial support for cashew farmers.
During the session, ZP members highlighted the struggles of cashew farmers due to reduced yields this year. “Amidst the cashew-producing farms, hundreds of farmers are grappling with disappointing yields, posing significant challenges to their livelihoods,” stated Chairperson Tendulkar. They stressed the importance of government assistance to alleviate the hardships faced by these farmers. “The situation demands urgent attention from the government,” she emphasised.
Another pressing concern raised during the meeting was the limited ferry service, which has led to commuting difficulties for local residents. ZP member Ganpat Naik advocated for an additional ferry service from Adpai to Rassaim to address these challenges. “The public is facing significant hardships due to the limited ferry service,” noted Naik. The ZP resolved to write to relevant authorities urging prompt action to improve ferry services.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed the issue of cancelled ration cards, with ZP members expressing concern about the hardships faced by the public. “Ration cards are crucial documents, and their preservation is essential,” said Chairperson Tendulkar.
A resolution was passed to draft a letter to the
government requesting the preservation of ration cards, even if cardholders fail to collect their allocated food grains.
The shortage of full-time engineers was also discussed, leading to a unanimous resolution to advocate for the allocation of additional technical staff to the South Goa Zilla Panchayat. “The absence of full-time engineers has contributed to delays in processing bills for completed developmental works,” explained Chairperson Tendulkar. She stressed the importance of addressing this issue promptly to ensure the efficient processing of pending bills and the smooth implementation of developmental projects.
