Daijiworld Media Network - Siolim

Siolim, Aug 31: The Siolim-Marna gram sabha has unanimously resolved to stop the erection of hoardings within the panchayat jurisdiction and decided to impose a penalty of Rs 20,000 or more on every illegal hoarding, besides registering FIRs against those responsible.

The resolution was passed during Sunday's gram sabha meeting after residents raised concerns over the increasing number of large hoardings, particularly along the stretch from Tar Junction to Siolim Church.

Local resident Joaquim Barros questioned whether the panchayat had granted permission for the hoardings or whether they had been erected illegally. He also sought to know what action had been taken against unauthorised hoardings.

Deputy Sarpanch Sandesh Hadfadkar, who chaired the meeting, acknowledged that permissions were often not obtained from the panchayat before hoardings were erected.

Following the discussion, the gram sabha resolved that no permission should henceforth be granted for erecting hoardings within the panchayat jurisdiction. It further decided that a penalty of Rs 20,000 or more should be imposed on every unauthorised hoarding and an FIR registered against those responsible, in accordance with the High Court ruling.

The gram sabha also took a decision aimed at improving transparency in its proceedings by resolving that all four ordinary gram sabhas conducted every year should be broadcast live from beginning to end. It further directed that video recordings of the meetings be uploaded on the panchayat website for public reference.

Barros raised the issue after alleging that the panchayat had refused to provide video recordings of earlier gram sabha meetings that he had sought through an RTI application. He said the panchayat secretary had informed him that no recordings were available.

Meanwhile, resident Gregory D'Souza sought details about a proposed new solid waste management system involving four bins — black, green, red and blue — with the red and blue bins proposed for medical and sanitary waste.

Hadfadkar said the panchayat had not received any government circular regarding the proposed system. He assured the gram sabha that details would be obtained and awareness programmes would be conducted in schools after the Chaturthi festival.

The gram sabha also discussed the possibility of introducing an online system for payment of house tax. Villagers urged the panchayat to overcome the challenges involved and implement the facility for the convenience of residents.

Residents also pressed for a carrying-capacity study of the village amid concerns over unplanned development and the increasing number of construction projects.

Local resident Anatasio Mendes urged the panchayat to seriously consider the matter and ensure that a carrying-capacity study was undertaken in the larger interest of the village.