Betalbatim Gram Sabha resolves to coordinate road digging

The Betalbatim Gram Sabha was held in a cordial atmosphere, though the attendance was less than usual probably due to the rains. The Sarpanch acceding to the request of a previous Gram Sabha, distributed xerox copies of the minutes of the last Gram Sabha as also of the Action Taken Report to the villagers.

Two important resolutions were unanimously passed. Members complained about the constant disruption in phone connectivity and water supply due to cutting whilst digging. It was therefore resolved that any person or agency private or public proposing to dig to lay cables or water lines etc in the village along the roads should obtain the written permission of the Panchayat authorities. Upon receipt of the application, the panchayat will depute the ward panch and inform other agencies like BSNL, PWD to send their personnel to supervise the digging. The agency involved will also restore the broken portion of the roads. The copies of this resolution shall be sent to the relevant authorities likes BSNL, PWD, private providers like Reliance, Tata etc and the Director of Panchayats.

Members congratulated the Panchayat for putting in place garbage management in the village. However, they were very unhappy at the poor beach cleanliness, whereupon the Sarpanch informed that the beach garbage contractor was not under their purview but under the Tourism Dept  who had appointed him. The Gram Sabha thereupon unanimously resolved that the local Panchayat should look after the maintenance both of the beach and the land immediately adjoining it and the Tourism Dept should transfer the proportionate amount being paid to the delinquent contractor to the Panchayat for this purpose and that henceforth the panchayat should be responsible for beach cleanliness since the good name of the village was at stake.The copy of the resolution was to be sent to the Tourism Dept. Attention was drawn to the poor state of Betalbatim Club in Mazagon, Mumbai, whereupon the Sarpanch informed that help could be considered only after receipt of a written request approved at the General Body Meeting of the Club.

The Sarpanch also announced that as per the assurance of the Power minister, three new transformers would shortly be set up to alleviate power woes and that sagging lines would be tightened and new conductors installed.