NT NETWORK
VASCO
Eleven wards of the Sancoale village panchayat will witness a multi-cornered contest in the ensuing panchayat polls which is scheduled on June 11.
Wards 1, 5 and 8 have been reserved for women while ward 2 is reserved for OBC women. Ward 4 has been reserved for OBC candidates while the remaining wards – 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 are general. It is interesting to note that there are 12 contestants who are contesting the panchayat election from ward 7 wherein all the candidates are new faces.
The Sancoale village panchayat is considered to be one of the richest panchayat body in the state due to its revenue earnings but it has failed to keep a record. The slum dwellers residing in Birla, Zuarinagar and Zorint and also have been spread in other areas will play a key role in electing candidates of choice. Some of the important issues that have remained unsolved during the last five years are no proper disposal of garbage where one can see the garbage including plastics dumped along the roadside and the four-lane highway NJ17B which connects the Dabolim international airport.
The other major problem is open defecation. Despite the panchayat being financially sound and has Rs 7 crore in its treasury which can be utilised for the construction of toilets and other necessary utilities which could be useful for the people which could have helped to stop the open defecation.
Presently, the panchayat body is operating from a dilapidated building. Although the villagers are demanding a new panchayat ghar, it has not been fulfilled till date. The foundation stone for the panchayat ghar has been laid couple of times, but it has not become a reality.
The beautification work of the Bandolem lake which could attract tourists has remained unsolved for the last five years tenure. Although the water resources department has constructed retaining walls at Bandolem lake, the panchayat body has failed to take up beautification work and even illumination which is useful for the Hindu people during the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
The other major issue which haunts the slum dwellers is lack of proper housing and market facility. The slum dwellers in Birla, Zuarinagar and Zorint are always given assurances by the politicians at the time of elections but finally they are ditched. The slum dwellers and people of Sancoale lack a full-fledged market complex, healthcare facilities and other necessary infrastructure facilities.
Sancoale village panchayat has allocated its prime land to the state government for the purpose of constructing the Kala Bhavan at Upasnagar. The project has been constructed half way by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), but it has now become a white elephant.