It is indeed surprising to note that despite major projects located in Uguem, the panchayat has remained “poor” in all respects since its formation in the early 70s.
The panchayat, which comprises of five wards, has remained undeveloped except for basic facilities such as roads, electricity and water.
However, the panchayat is rich as far as development projects are concerned but none of these have benefited the locals. Incidentally, the elected panchayat members over the years have also bitterly failed in approaching any of the project owners in the locality to provide job opportunity or any other benefits to the locals. Uguem is the home to the Sanguem Industrial Estate, which is located in Xelpem ward. The industrial estate houses a soft drink unit, a fish packaging plant and iron and steel manufacturing factory but none of these have benefited the villagers.
Uguem Sarpanch Sanjay Parwar says, “Leave aside the benefits, these factories in the Sanguem Industrial Estate have failed to give us the recognition when we approach them regarding any issues.
Parwar informed that the fish plant in the industrial estate has employed over 150 people but majority of these workers are non-Goans. The owners of the fish plant do not even consider the requests from the panchayat to provide employment for locals. The situation at the soft drink unit and the iron and steel manufacturing plant is no different either. Except for about five villagers, the rest of the employees at soft drink unit are either from outside Sanguem or from other States. This literally affects the development status of the panchayat areas.
None of the factories in Sanguem Industrial Estate are willing to consider the development activities of the panchayat areas. On the contrary, the villagers have been at the receiving end due to the pollution caused by these industries. The locals of Orcotto, Dabamoll, Xelpem and Cotarli are forced to put their lives at risk especially during late evening while commuting along the narrow road proceeding to the industrial estate which is being used by speeding trucks to transport material and finished products to these factories. Uguem village panchayat also houses the GFDC-run Botanical Garden and the Selaulim Dam.
However, except for its location in the panchayat area, the maximum benefits are reaped by outsiders. The Sanguem court and Timblo Mines too come under Uguem panchayat. The only income on which the panchayat thrives on is government subsidy and house tax. Panch Marcus Pereira has called for some mechanism from the govt to ensure that the panchayat gets some income from these units operating at the industrial estate.
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