Parched and shocked

Located just five kilometers away from the capital city of Panaji, the village of Penha de Franca is a calm and serene one. With a population of 15,375 (according to the 2002 census), the jurisdiction of the village panchayat of Penha de Franca extends from the Malim jetty to the Char-Manas junction on the Britona-Panaji route and also covers a large chunk of Porvorim, including the state's legislative assembly building, Housing Board colony, Police Quarters, Pundalik Nagar and Journalists colony.The village comprises 11 wards. Its close proximity to the bustling capital has not shielded the village from facing an issue when it comes to basic amenities, that of electricity and water supply.
Villagers narrate how they are constantly plagued by the erratic water supply and poor quality power supply. "It's a terrible situation. Sometimes, we don't get public water supply for days at a stretch and if we do, it's mostly for just one-and-a-half hour in the day. We never know when and for how long the supply will be. It's almost like being constantly on vigil," says businessman Carlito Martins.
Another resident Venancio Fernandes narrates how, right at the start of the new year, from January 1 to January 4, they had absolutely no water supply. "Complaint calls to the public works department (PWD), too, go unanswered," he says adding, how he and most other villagers are dreading the upcoming summer months when their water requirement will escalate.
So what do the villagers do in this situation? "Use water as sparingly as possible. Those who have private wells use that water. Recently, upon complaining to the local MLA, Rohan Khaunte, water tankers were sent around which gave us temporary relief," Martins says.
Another raging problem here is that of poor electricity supply. "Sometimes the voltage is so low that the light from the bulbs matches that from a candle. At peak times especially, it is difficult to use electrical appliances for the fear of motors blowing up due to voltage fluctuations," says Fernandes. Compounding this problem further is the electricity billing cycle. Says Venkatsh Vasta, "The last time we received our electricity bill, it was after a gap of eight months and the amount was upwards of Rs 20,000. We have tried complaining to the panchayat and the electricity department about the same, but our complaints have fallen on deaf ears."
Consequently, due to such huge gaps and the exorbitant billing amount, monthly family budgeting has gone for a toss. Agnelo Pereira narrates how he recently received an electricity bill of Rs 21,000 after a gap of six months. "Worse still, arrears of Rs 13,000 were wrongfully added. When I took up the issue with the electricity department, they told me to first pay off the entire bill amount and then file a complaint to solve the wrongful arrears grievance," he says.
Penha de Franca sarpanch Blanche D'Souza said the fault for this delayed billing cycle lies squarely with the electricity department and their lack of adequate staff. "All of us are facing the problem and the panchayat has taken up the issue with the electricity department. However, they are shortstaffed and use this excuse to justify the delayed billing cycle," she says, adding that they are now trying to get the issue sorted out with the help of the MLA.
On his part, Rohan Khaunte, the local MLA says, that he is definitely aware of the situation and the troubles the locals are facing. "The minimum billing cycle is four months and sometimes extends up to six and even eight months. That apart, they payment time given is just 15 days after which penal interest is charged. I have taken up this issue strongly in the assembly and the government has assured me that necessary remedial action will be taken. But, till date nothing has been done and the problem exists," he says.
Speaking on the issue of erratic water supply, Khaunte says that during his tenure, the situation has "vastly improved as compared to earlier". "But, 24x7 water supply will become a reality only once the Guirim reservoir work is complete and it kicks into action. As of now, we receive water from the Assonora reservoir and with this area being almost at the tail-end, we have to suffer. I have given top priority to getting all the necessary infrastructure in place to sort out this issue. The requisite proposals are now with the PWD and I am working to ensure an early solution to this problem," he says. Rohan adds that as MLA, his focus is on getting issues of basic amenities like garbage disposal, sewerage, water and electricity sorted out to the satisfaction of the locals.
Problem
Lack of adequate open spaces
Most villagers also lament the lack of playgrounds and properly constructed open spaces with adequate recreational facilities in the village. "The existing open spaces are in quite a dilapidated state and need urgent maintenance. We desperately need some playgrounds and parks here so that people, young and old, can come out in the evenings, take a stroll peacefully, sit and have a chat with their friends, etc," Carlito Martins says. On his part, the MLA says that his priority is that of restoration of the existing open spaces which are in a dilapidated condition. "Their maintenance and upkeep is an issue and I have invited a corporate entity to take up the upkeep of some of the gardens. The restoration work should be completed within the next six months," he says.
Illegal constructions and occupation of comunidade land
Another raging issue in the area is that of illegal occupation of vacant lands, especially comunidade land. Locals cite the example of a workshop erected by an event management company in the Betim area which they claim is illegal and operating despite not having the requisite NOCs. The panchayat says that they have sent notices to the owner of the company and even ordered a demolition which was stalled as the owner was able to obtain a stay order from the directorate of panchayats. Another case of illegal occupation, the locals cite, is that of a former police sub-inspector who has illegally occupied a vast stretch of comunidade land in the vicinity of Azad Bhavan and has constructed and let out shops on rent.
Narrow roads
This is one issue that has been plaguing the village since many years now with no solution in sight. The roads in lower Penha de Franca are so narrow that on particular stretches, two four-wheelers cannot cross simultaneously. Compounding the problem further are the houses by the side, most of which have walls or compound walls flush with the main road. Consequently, the concerned authorities have been able to do scant little to alleviate the villagers of this issue as the task could require acquisition of land for the same and re-habilitation of some of the villagers. Talking about this issue, the MLA says that several suggestions have been made including the construction of a parallel road to the proposed Salvador do Mundo bridge which will consequently help in decongesting traffic on the lower roads.