PONDA: A special gram sabha of Sakorda gram panchayat witnessed an uproar on Sunday after documents revealed that a fish farming plant was running illegally without a business license for the last three years. The furious villagers demanded that the panchayat take immediate action against the plant for releasing waste water into the Ragda river and thus polluting their only source of drinking water. He slammed the gram panchayat for maintaining silence as the entity was polluting their water source.
It may be recalled that the Gram Sabha was called even after the authorities clarified that the Ragda river was not polluted and the villagers refused to accept the principle of ‘clean’ chit given by the Public Works Department. Over 317 signatories demanded strict action against polluters and bringing the matter to its logical conclusion. Bowing to the demands of the villagers, a special gram sabha was called yesterday.
The Panchayat Secretary revealed that the fish farming plant was conducting activities without obtaining a business license.
“The party has obtained permission for construction of one bio-frog pond in 2021 but has constructed seven ponds (tanks) for fish farming without obtaining a business license for the last three years and hence the Panchayat has now canceled its NOC. Have given and have also decided to complain to the authorities for further action,” the secretary said.
The angry villagers then blamed the panchayat for turning a blind eye to Nelson’s illegal activities and directly blamed the civic body for the water crisis and hence demanded that the government supply them with clean water until The water of Ragda river may not become completely clear. Locals of Sakorda complained that they have been consuming polluted Ewer water for the last three weeks and now they have demanded that the authorities take strict action against the polluting unit for releasing waste water into the river, which is causing water pollution. Deputy Sarpanch Shirish Desai presided over the meeting.
