Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Stating illegalities are on the rise in the village and panchayat should not remain as a mere spectator, Loliem-Polem Gram Sabha on Sunday called on the panchayat body to act tough and stop the illegalities taking place in the village.
A day ago (Saturday), the Code of Conduct was in force for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, no developmental works were taken up or discussed in the gram sabha. Members had reportedly expected the discussion on Film City and one more mega project will come up for discussion in Sunday’s gram Sabha.
Villagers cried foul over unabated hill-cutting activities going on in the village, inspite of authorities concerned being informed.
“There have been a series of hill-cutting activities noted as taking place in the village in recent years, and any of these were duly informed to the flying squad of the government. However, except for momentary halts, these hill–cutting activities had resulted in excavating large quantities of earth and disturbing and destroying village ecology”, stated a member Prashant Pagi.
Other members also pointed out no one knows the outcome of the show-cause notices issued to the violators.
“Under the circumstances, we as villagers feel helpless and unable to stop the malpractices taking place in front of our eyes and as people feel due to the involvement of some elected representatives, neither authorities nor the panchayat body pays any heed to stop this nemesis, which not only erodes our village ecology but also destroys the topography of the village”, stated another villager.
The page however stating Panchayat cannot remain a mute spectator, reminded that the elected body is duty-bound to act tough against unabated hill-cutting activities taking place in the village.
Villagers questioned Sarpanch Nisha Chari for the absence of Talathi at the gram Sabha. Sarpanch informed a letter will be issued to the Talathi to remain present in all the future gram Sabha.
While less than 100 members attended, a lone Panch was not present at the gram Sabha in the 9-member Loliem-Polem Panchayat.
