Assagao gram sabha debates illegalities.

Times of India; Monday,May 02, 2011,

PANAJI: The twin issues of illegal constructions within the road-widening area and an unauthorized compound wall at Badem, both allegedly carried out by two panch members, were discussed at the Assagao gram sabha on Sunday.

At the meeting chaired by sarpanch Pradip Naik, Krishna S Ghate raised the issue of illegal constructions, stating that the matter had to be discussed at the gram sabha.

Initially, the sarpanch said it was not a development issue for public discussion and did not come under the purview of the gram sabha. Ghate raised objections and the sarpanch agreed to look into the matter.

The records of the illegal compound wall, which had been built just over a year ago, are not available in the records maintained by the panchayat, Ghate was informed by the panchayat in response to his application under RTI.

The two illegal constructions had been allotted house numbers without issuing the requisite occupancy certificate as per information provided by the Mapusa BDO to the panchayats director.

The issue of garbage management was also discussed and in a resolution it was agreed that a Margao-based entrepreneur should be given the approval to start door-to-door collection of waste.

In another resolution, it was decided to urge the authorities to shift the anganwadi to a government primary school from a private one.