Margao: The gram sabha of Betalbatim on Sunday demanded the appointment of a full-time secretary, holding the absence of one responsible for pending works and projects in the village. Concerns about migrants and mega projects were also discussed at length during the meeting.
The session, chaired by deputy sarpanch Ilma Dias, was delayed due to the secretary’s absence.
Raising the issue, gram sabha member Seby Fernandes said, “There is a problem that we villagers face because there is no full-time secretary. Every two days, the secretary is changed and our work remains pending. There is also a problem of roads which need to be repaired after underground cabling and if we go to the panchayat for help, we are told that the secretary is not there to give the funds. We have demanded that our village should have a full time secretary.”
Dias admitted that the delay was caused by the secretary’s limited availability. “There was a delay in the meeting because of the secretary. We have a secretary who is given additional charge and comes on alternative days and had been busy with LAQs and audits so there were many issues pending. After the delay we had the meeting on Sunday,” she said.
On the issue of bad roads, Dias said there was a discussion on roads which are in bad condition because of the work of underground cabling that was taken up. “People were agitated and we didn’t have any answers but we have written to several departments to take up the road repairs immediately.”
Gram sabha members reiterated concerns over multi-dwelling projects, demanding a carrying capacity study for the village and urging the panchayat to deny permissions. Dias said, “Multi dwelling projects that are coming in the village, which we have rejected but they have gone to the higher authorities and the hearings are going on.”
Villagers also raised alarm about the growing migrant population. Dias said, “There is no data with the panchayat but the police are doing the tenant verification. Walking on the beach or elsewhere becomes dangerous with migrants roaming around. We as a panchayat also need to be taken into consideration as they are using the resources of the village.”
