Q. As a former Sarpanch and having served as a panch for three terms, what do you think are the limitations of a Panchayat?
The Panchayat should be given more powers, only then there will be development in villages for the very basic needs of the community such as roads, electricity, water, wells etc. There are times when most of the development activities are stalled due to NOC issues which has to be obtained from the ‘bhatkars’ or the major land owners. These are the times when a Panchayat’s hands are tied.
Q. Tell us about your work as a panch member?
Terekhol being a far flung village from mainland Goa has unfortunately been neglected and never saw any significant development. I am a social worker and have travelled extensively to educate people about the laws pertaining to tenant and mundkar Act. More than 80 percent of the people are ‘kul’ or ‘mundkars’ but little do they know about their rights and the government as well as the land sharks are taking advantage. There have also been cases wherein some mundkar names have been deleted. The land sharks and the political nexus has taken advantage of the illiterate people. As a member of the Tenant-Mundkar Association, I take it as a responsibility to educate the people and help them in Court cases.
Q. Keri-Terekhol Panchayat comes under Mandrem constituency, which was former CM Laxmikant Parsekar’s seat. Was that of any help?
We had no help whatsoever from Mr Parsekar, in fact we had to fight against the government for the very existence of Terekhol during his tenure. The mouth of the Terekhol River which was being dredged to facilitate barges for coal transportation to the neighbouring village of Arondawas brought to a halt after a complaint to the National Green Tribunal. The government had also started work on a bridge to connect Terekhol with Keri village. Though the bridge is a necessity and very much required, the dubious ways in which it was being pushed raised eyebrows. Neither the necessary permissions were taken nor were any notices served to the affected land owners. The bridge seemed to be more convenient for the proposed golf course and a hotel project. The hotel project and the golf course which was threatening the whole village of Terekhol were stopped after we approached the Court.
Q. What are the problems faced by the village?
As I said, Terekhol village is far away from development. There is no piped water supply and the village is dependent on wells and springs which too dry up during the summer. We have to purchase water tankers from neighbouring State of Maharashtra, electricity also comes from Maharashtra and hence there is load shedding and regular power cuts. More than 56 years have passed since Liberation, but the government is yet to provide proper electricity and water which are the basic needs of a citizen.
Q. How do you see at the women’s reservation in the Panchayat?
Women empowerment is of uttermost importance. Women should have equal rights in all walks of life, be it your home or the administration.
Q. What is your advice to the newcomers who will be contesting in the upcoming Panchayat elections?
If you cannot give 100 percent dedication to the problems of the village, please do not contest the Panchayat polls. Being a panch comes with a responsibility of bringing the attention of the government to the grassroots level.
Team TNV
