NewsKarnataka – Moodabidri

Moodabidri: In a move that reminded one of the ancient practice of holding Panchayathikatte in the open, the Tenkamijar Gram Panchayat convened its second Gram Sabha under a huge banyan tree at Ashwathapura on January 23, Thursday.

Villagers who attended the meeting, took strong exception to the failure of the authorities to  provide land for a Hindu crematorium at Tenkamijar despite frequent appeals over the past few years. They also warned of staging a protest by holding cremations in front of the Village Accountant’s office if the land was not identified within two months.The village account assured to do the needful at the earliest.

Even the issue of unauthorised quarries in Tenkamijar  area came up for discussion and villagers questioned the apathy of the Panchayat towards these quarries.  The reply of the VA Mahesh that  it was just two months since he took charge and that he would look into the mater soon, did not please the villagers who took  him to task.

Sayish Chowta, Panchayat Development Officer, who also spoke, said the Panchayat had clear cut guidelines for stone quarries and  added that quarries were not permitted in case villagers file objection. He also said unauthorised quarries are served notices. He further assured villagers of action if they bring the functioning of any illegal quarry to the notice of the Panchayat.

The poor condition of vented dams came up for discussion. ZP Member Suneetha Sucharitha Shetty who was present, said the issue has also been discussed at ZP meetings.

As many as  350 villagers attended the meeting which was participated  by 18 out of the 19 GP members.  GP Chief Umavathi and others were present. Akshara Dasoha deputy Director participated in the meeting as Nodal Officer.