Issues affecting villagers dominated the Usgao-Ganjem gram sabha, with strong opposition to a steep hike in house tax tak ing centre stage for nearly two hours. After heated discussions, locals passed a resolution seeking a reduc tion in the proposed hike to Rs 6–8 per square me tre and demanded that the matter be forwarded to the Director of Panchayats. The meeting was chaired by Sarpanch Sanjay Gaude, who assured that resolu tion would be forwarded to the BDO and Director of Panchayats. Villagers said the revised rate of Rs 20 per square metre was unaffordable, pointing out that taxes in Ponda Municipality and Curti-Khandepar Panchayat are lower. Many who earlier paid Rs 150–200 annually have now received notices ranging from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000. Residents termed the hike unjust, especially given unemployment and financial hardship. A resolution was also passed not to permit mega projects until the village’s water scarcity is resolved. Locals said that while 24 hour supply was available earlier, water is now pro vided for barely one-and a-half hours due to popula tion growth. Residents demanded that five lakh square me tres of Communidade land be acquired and 300 sq m plots allotted to needy locals, warning against leasing or selling land to corporates and migrants. Concerns were raised that a businessman had acquired one lakh sq m for business purposes, including alleged illegal casinos. Other demands included action on stray cattle, clean liness, illegal truck and bus parking at Kelini, and acqui sition of land for a cricket ground. Villagers also ob jected to changes in house numbers, citing hardships in updating Aadhaar and other documents, and sought res toration of old numbers.
Usgao-Ganjem gram sabha opposes house tax hike
