BY ABDULLA KHAN | NT
VALPOI: Mauxi panchayat area, which has seen drastic commercial growth in Nagve ward, misses the wheels of development in most of the other wards due to instability within the panchayat body.
In last the five years this village, which is part of Poriem constituency, has seen four sarpanchas in the seven-member panchayat body. Interestingly, out of seven members, four were elected as sarpanch- Datta Gawas, Vithoba Sawant, Tukaram Gawas and Vathu Gaonkar. The panchayat, due to such frequent change in sarpanchas, has failed to deliver on developmental front to the villagers.
At several gram sabhas, heated discussions have taken place as regards illegal scrapyards, illegal land plots and the panchayat’s new building. However, the panchayat body has failed to provide satisfactory answers to the villagers.
“We were angry over the new building issue because a fund of Rs 30 lakh, sanctioned by the RDA, was cancelled by the same department as the panchayat had not used the money for more than three years,” said Kanta Gaonkar, a youth from Mauxi village.
Though the panchayat is financially stable, it did not carry out any development in the village in the last five years, alleged the residents of Nagve.
“The villagers have been raising the issues of garbage collection and lack of development at the gram sabhas. However, the panchayat has not paid any heed to our demands,” said S Aga from Nagve.
It may be noted that Nagve has seen drastic commercial development in the last two years.
Over the period, Nuha colony and Nagve have seen new residential and business structures which generate revenue through registration of houses and trade licences.
At the same time, the area generates maximum domestic and commercial garbage which is not collected from the dumped site.
“The site is at the entrance of Valpoi and it has become an eyesore for general public. The panchayat which collects taxes is equally responsible and must clear the garbage dumped in the open,” said a senior citizen. Some of the residents of Nuha colony alleged that the panchayat never bothered to improve functioning of streetlights and undertake cleaning of storm drains.
Meanwhile, Mauxi village, which is known for its historical past and the recent findings of prehistoric rock carvings, has seen no concrete steps taken to protect the historical sites.
“The panchayat can generate revenue if proper steps are taken to maintain historical sites. These sites need to be developed and promoted from heritage tourism point of view,” said a Mauxi resident.
Interestingly, Zarme has witnessed some development in terms of footpaths, retaining walls, road and other facilities.
“Earlier, when I was sarpanch, I took the initiative and developed my ward as per the needs of the villagers,” said panch member Datta Gawas, who has a rapport with BJP leaders.
On revenue front, Mauxi panchayat is in secure position. “We are collecting Rs 8-10 lakh revenue through petrol pump, sopo, besides house tax, registration of cell phone tower and other commercial projects,” said panchayat secretary, who was holding additional charge.
He further said that the panchayat has constructed community halls in Dabe and Mauxi through the golden jubilee grants.
Sarpanch Vathu Gaonkar admitted that the panchayat has lagged behind in delivering as regards development works right from the panchayat building to other projects in the village.
“We have taken up road work connecting to Saleli from Zarme ward, costing around Rs 4.20 crore. Besides, the interior road near the crematorium was also asphalted. However, it takes time to execute projects,” said Vathu.