Shaikh Jamaluddin | NT
CHIMBEL: Garbage and the village of Chimbel seem to co-exist. It will not be an exaggeration to say that people inhale stench emanating from the garbage strewn almost in every nook and corner of the area. The village panchayat is preparing for yet another election next month. However, the problems are lingering ever since the last panchayat elections.
The residents are complaining that neither the elected representatives like MLAs nor the village panchayat bodies (sarpanchas) are bothered to fulfill the promises made to them during elections in the past.
Villagers have been facing a number of problems such as garbage, open gutters, lack of market, community hall, health centre, police outpost and playground. These problems have been repeatedly brought up in the gram sabhas but till date no solution has been found by the village panchayat.
The villagers say that during elections aspiring MLAs and panchas promise many things in the name of development but in reality nothing happens when they are elected. They however appreciated the work done by former MLA Victor Gonsalves, Atanasio Monserrate, Pratapsingh Rane and Victoria Fernandes.
The villagers said that licences are being given to new constructions without making any provision for water, power supply and garbage disposal as a result there is always water shortage, power outages and heaps of garbage in the village. Heaps of garbage is being burnt near the roadside which creates an environmental hazard.
Even the area which has been earmarked and reserved for the Chimbel market now looks like a dump yard. As one moves in, many areas in the village are found littered with garbage which shows that garbage has not been lifted for the last many days. Stray dogs and cattle can be seen feasting on the garbage.
Chimbel comprises of 50 per cent of people mostly migrants from Karnataka. There are also people from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and sizeable Christian families. The Scheduled Tribe community comprises of 5 per cent of the overall population.
According to villagers, 90 per cent of people in the village come under the general category. There is a high concentration of ST population in ward numbers 6, 7 and 10.
Villagers felt that having an IT Habitat and a Health Herb Centre is a must in the village in order to improve and eliminate unemployment. They hoped that better sense will prevail and good panchas will be elected in elections slated next month, who will improve their plight.