UTILIZE COMMUNIDADE LAND FOR GARBAGE MANAGEMENT GETS GREEN SIGNAL

PANJIM: A proposal to utilize comunidade land for garbage management at St Cruz received a green signal at the gram sabha. However, some members insisted that the panchayat should follow it up before the next meeting.

The issue of garbage management dominated the Sunday meeting chaired by sarpanch Rosy A L Fernandes as some locals grilled the panchayat over the lack of a plan to tackle the menace. Peter Gonsalves, a villager, said it was the duty of the panchayat to hold meetings on a monthly basis and discuss the issue.

However, members said there was no land available to take up any proposal for garbage management. But villagers felt that a suitable site could be located in comunidade land, the survey numbers identified and the proposal followed up for land acquisition.

An office bearer of the local comunidade, Mariano Araujo said the comunidade had some land which could be utilized, and agreed to look into the matter. It was tentatively decided that a probable site and survey numbers could be identified for the purpose.

Villagers also complained about poor hygiene around the market and other areas. Methods of garbage disposal were also discussed with some suggesting segregation of waste at source.

Misuse of open spaces in the village for commercial purpose also figured at the meeting. The meeting took note of the fact that open spaces were illegally converted or encroached upon and the panchayat should tackle the misuse. However, one panch said no files showing open spaces were available. Nevertheless, members insisted that panchayat should look into the matter and prepare a plan marking open spaces.

It was also pointed out that parking of vehicles near the busy market area and church square has been causing congestion. Members suggested that signboards indicating 'no parking' be displayed in the area as people have problem passing through or go to church.

Villagers also raised the issue of half a dozen illegal huts erected near All India radio station and demanded that they be razed before they gain a permanent status. (TNN)