PORVORIM: Amid widespread damage caused by falling trees, legislators on Friday urged the government to increase the financial support provided to municipalities and village panchayats for cutting dangerous trees under the disaster management authority. The members also highlighted damage from gusty winds across some parts of the State on Thursday night.
Ruling party MLAs Dr Chandrakant Shetye and Delilah Lobo argued that the current allocation of Rs 50,000 for municipal councils and Rs 25,000 for village panchayats is insufficient for tree removal. They recommended enhancing these amounts. Shetye noted significant damage in Bicholim constituency due to heavy rains and gusty winds, with 22 trees uprooted on Thursday night alone.
Mayem MLA Premendra Shet pointed out that it costs around Rs 28,000 to cut down a single tree. He suggested that the Rs 5 lakh allocated for the entire taluka, which encompasses four to five constituencies, is inadequate.
Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate explained that municipal councils and village panchayats must first identify dangerous trees and obtain permission from the deputy collector before removal. The deputy collector is responsible for hearing both parties and making a decision.
During the discussion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant mentioned that the budget for tree cutting had been increased this year. He assured that, in the long term, he would consider the request for further increases in funding for local self-bodies to address tree removal needs.