Albert Fernandes | NT
CANACONA: Shristhal village panchayat is facing a revenue loss due to non-legalisation of around 80 per cent houses. The plots, on which these houses have been constructed, belong to three persons who are owners and are closely related to each other and the matter is in the court over disputes amongst the owners.
Apart from this, there are some houses situated in Velipwada, where the land too is having names of several owners and the houses situated at New-Vadem are constructed in the green zone.
There are more than 1,300 houses and the Shristhal panchayat gets revenue of around Rs 1.73 lakh.
Panchayat secretary Sandeep Desai said that a lot of revenue has been lost due to the disputed land in which houses are constructed. Desai said that the panchayat is mulling to get re-assessment of house tax done of these houses.
He said that the issue will first have to be discussed in the gram sabha and later after the resolution is passed, the forms can be given to the house owners so that the panchayat can get some revenue every year.
There are certain roads in Shristhal which are in pathetic condition and need immediate attention. These roads are located at Paryekatta, Maital, Konniebhag, Nocto, Gallink and at Mokhard.
On garbage front, the panchayat has not yet acquired land for garbage disposal. It may be noted that the Dumanem garbage treatment plant of Canacona Municipal Council is situated in the land of the Shristhal village panchayat.
The other issue faced by the village panchayat is that of the fish vendors, who squat on the roadsides and, thereby cause obstruction to vehicular traffic along the NH17.
When this problem was brought before the panchayat authority, the secretary said that the roadsides, occupied by fish vendors, belong to the PWD. When asked whether sopo is collected, he answered in the positive.
Police sub inspector (traffic) said that since the panchayat is collecting sopo from the fish vendors it is necessary for the panchayat to give them appropriate land to conduct their business little away from the NH17.