Margao: The garbage issue once again dominated the Assolna gram sabha, with villagers seeking a review of the ongoing door-to-door garbage collection system. They also demanded concrete steps to control the stray dog population.
On the existing garbage collection mechanism, gram sabha members said the user fees need to be reassessed, as the services provided do not match the fees being paid. Members also said that there was a lack of communication and that the contractor had failed to arrive on time on several occasions, leaving villagers inconvenienced.
Villagers also demanded that the panchayat immediately purchase an electric vehicle for door-to-door garbage collection to reduce operational costs. They said that if the contractor is unable to improve services, he should be replaced but stressed that services must improve.
The gram sabha also discussed the issue of stray cattle and dogs. Members demanded that the panchayat take steps to control the stray dog population by signing memoranda with NGOs for sterilisation and also ensure rehabilitation of stray cattle.
It further pulled up the panchayat for failing to convene meetings of its various advisory committees for several months.
Members also criticised the panchayat for not presenting the budget before the grama sabha, noting that the next grama sabha is scheduled to be held only in April.
