MARGAO: Following the neighbouring panchayat meetings, the gram sabha (GS) of Verna village panchayat discussed the proposed waste treatment plant at the Verna plateau. Locals also raised question of illegal trades including sexual exploitation of women.
Ramiro Mascarenhas from Loutolim, who was invited as a guest at the Verna GS, briefed the members about the developments regarding the proposed 250 tonnes + 20% Integrated solid waste management (SWM) plant. He congratulated Verna GS for proactively passing three resolutions at the earlier meetings in July 2019, February 2020 and May 2022 respectively, all opposing the integrated SWM plant.
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Mascarenhas also pointed out that the Verna Panchayat had supported the collective efforts of the five villages at the base of the Verna plateau namely Loutolim, Quellossim, Nagoa, Nuvem and Verna. Pointing out that these villages will bear the brunt of this impending environmental disaster, he requested the GS to continue to fight unitedly along with the other villages.
The GS also witnessed a major discussion regarding the security of villagers in view of the many thefts that have occurred lately. Locals were also concerned about issues such as commercial sexual work carried out in the village and how the victims had been brought into this trade. The locals asserted that there needs to be more vigilance into the illegal trades carried out in the village and that the police should be roped in for assistance.
The panchayat body agreed to ensure that tenant verification registrations of all tenants in their wards will be completed within one month. A request was also made to account for all senior citizens living, alone and with families, to ensure they are safeguarded, supported and protected from untoward incidents.
GS member Salus Cardozo questioned whether the new panchayat body had made any efforts to understand the concept of ‘healthy village’. Further questions were raised whether the body has appraised themselves about the existing issues in the village.
Thereafter, the various village-level committees were constituted. For the first time, many youngsters volunteered to join these committees.
