NAVELIM: While the exercise of delimitation of wards for the ensuing panchayat elections is in progress, Salcete taluka could see the inclusion of eight new wards. The delimitation will also put an end to the five-member panchayats in Salcete.
Highly placed sources in the block development office (BDO), requesting anonymity, said that the delimitation process is on and the villages of Varca and Orlim in Benaulim constituency, while Sarzora in Velim constituency and Macazana in Cuncolim constituency will have two additional wards each.
The source said that while the Varca panchayat, which has a present strength of seven panch members, will be increased to nine wards, the villages of Orlim, Sarzora and Macazana, which presently have five-member panchayats, will be increased to seven wards each.
Replying to a question on bifurcation of Curtorim-Maina panchayat into two separate panchayats, the source said that there will be no change in the number of panchayats in Salcete. He also said that there is no change in the 11-member panchayats even though there is an increase in the population.
The source said that there is a proposal under consideration to include large villages, which have 11 wards, under the Margao municipality. He said that there was a proposal in 2015 to include villages bordering Margao municipal council, as a part of the city expansion plans, prior to the municipal elections. He said parts of villages of Navelim, Benaulim, Colva, Seraulim, Nuvem and Davorlim were proposed to be included in the city limits.