Team Goemkarponn
SANCOALE: The Sancoale Gram Sabha on Sunday witnessed heated exchanges and chaos as villagers raised a series of concerns over garbage collection, mega projects, licences allegedly issued by the panchayat and the overall financial management of the local body.
Several villagers demanded immediate corrective measures, greater transparency and accountability, while urging the newly elected panchayat body to safeguard the interests of Sancoale and ensure that all legitimate sources of revenue are effectively tapped.
One of the major issues raised during the meeting was the alleged irregularities in garbage collection and the implementation of garbage taxes. Locals questioned the manner in which garbage-related activities were being handled and demanded a proper and transparent system.
Villagers maintained that residents should not be burdened with taxes without an efficient garbage collection mechanism being put in place. They also sought greater accountability in the utilisation of funds collected through garbage-related taxes.
The Gram Sabha also witnessed strong opposition to licences allegedly granted without following the prescribed procedure. Villagers demanded that such licences be reviewed and that necessary action, including revocation, be taken wherever violations are established.
They stressed that the panchayat must ensure that all permissions are issued strictly according to rules and that no individual or institution is allowed to benefit at the cost of the village.
Development-related concerns also dominated the proceedings, with villagers demanding the speedy construction and completion of the new Panchayat Ghar.
Locals said Sancoale, being one of the rapidly developing areas, requires a proper administrative facility capable of catering to its growing population. The proposal to divide the Sancoale panchayat into two separate panchayats also came under criticism, with villagers opposing any move that could affect the unity and administrative interests of the area.
Another major issue raised was revenue recovery. Villagers pointed out that educational and industrial institutions and other establishments operating in Sancoale allegedly owe substantial amounts to the panchayat towards rent and other dues.
They demanded that the panchayat identify outstanding amounts, reportedly running into several crores, and take firm steps to recover the dues. According to the villagers, the recovered revenue could be utilised to improve infrastructure and provide better civic amenities.
Dy Sarpanch Tulshidas Naik said the newly elected panchayat body was committed to working with greater transparency and accountability.
Naik said the panchayat would examine the issues raised by villagers, take steps to plug loopholes and prevent any scope for scams or financial irregularities. He stressed that the body would focus on strengthening the panchayat’s revenue base, recovering outstanding dues and ensuring that public money is utilised strictly for the benefit of Sancoale.
Naik also assured the villagers that their concerns would be examined and appropriate steps taken. The Gram Sabha ended with villagers reiterating that development in Sancoale must go hand in hand with transparency, financial discipline, accountability and strict adherence to prescribed procedures.
