PONDA: In order to stop the influx of people from other states, the Bethoda panchayat has resolved to permit only one house in a plot of 250 sq metres of land in its jurisdiction. The panchayat during a gram sabha held on Sunday also decided to take legal action against the illegal structures in the area.
Locals from Bethoda claimed that due to increasing settlement of non-Goans in Bethoda area, there is a lot of pressure on water and electricity and anti-social elements have entered the area. In many areas in Bethoda, four to five houses are constructed in 200 to 250 sq metres plots. In areas where only 50 houses are permitted, 500 houses are constructed in a congested manner resulting in huge increase in population.
Locals also decided to permit only two-storey houses in Bethora panchayat area.
Locals from Bethoda also claimed that the panchayat or any governing authority has not taken any action against the illegal settlements and in order to spot illegalities locals demanded action against the culprits. The gram sabha also resolved not to give NOC for proposed extension project of UB group unless services of people from Bethoda are confirmed. It was also decided that in upcoming extension project, local youth should be given preference while recruiting. The panchayat has decided to send a letter to the company for discussion over the issue.
Other issues of action against the illegal scrapyard, over-speeding scrapyard vehicles, shifting of all the scrap from Bethoda to other area, water shortage issue and others were discussed during the gram sabha.
Annual budget of Bethoda panchayat of around Rs 80 lakh was passed. All ten panch members were present for the gram sabha. The sarpanch Poonam Samant presided over the meeting and panchayat secretary Prasad Shet monitored the meeting. A large number of locals were present for the meeting and considering the disturbance in previous gram sabha video recording was done.