PANJIM: The Merces gram sabha demanded that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department follow the sections of 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution of India.
Illegal scrapyards, garbage and road side kiosks were also discussed at length.
Raising the issues, John Nazareth pointed out that conversions are being carried out by making amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act.
He suggested that a fine of Rs 2,000 should be imposed on those throwing garbage in open area and Rs 1000 from the amount be paid to the garbage sentinel. He also pointed out that Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the panchayat is not accessible to the locals and demanded that the MRF should be notified for the information of the public.
The gram sabha also raised the issue of scrapyards in view of gas leakage from a scrapyard which had resulted in hospitalisation of over 20 persons.
The residents questioned whether the scrapyards in the panchayat areas have permissions from Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and other departments which give permissions to them.