Team Herald
PANJIM: The Sao Mathias gram sabha on Sunday discussed house tax, proposals from villagers, ferry and bus services during the upcoming Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, among other issues.
The gram sabha members asked the panchayat to write to the River and Navigation Department requesting it to increase the number of ferries at Ribandar and Old Goa and also to the Police Department to deploy personnel during the Exposition to manage traffic.
The villagers demanded that a resident doctor be deployed at the health centre which will ensure availability of a doctor during night hours as well.
The gram sabha members demanded that the bad roads in Sao Mathias and Divar be repaired soon.
However, the gram sabha members appear divided on the issue of having a bridge at Vanxim, as some spoke in its favour, while others said the same was not required.
The villagers demanded that the ambulance allocated for the area be stationed near the health centre.
They sought clarity on the house tax issue and demanded that the decision taken by the panchayat be displayed on the notice board for objections or suggestions from the locals.
The gram sabha members also expressed their opposition to construction of Material Recovery Facility, coming up close to the panchayat and the health centre.
Sao Mathias sarpanch Anuradha Volvoikar found herself in an awkward situation when a member sought details about her plans for development of the village.
A gram sabha member accused the sarpanch’s husband of interfering in the panchayat matters. The Sarpanch refuted the allegation.