Samir UMARYe BICHolIM: When the entire nation, including Goa, was lit up to
celebrate Diwali, around eight families from Talapwada- Padose in Sattari
taluka observed a Dark Diwali! Thanks to poverty coupled with apathy on the
part of the government, these people continue to live in darkness.
Talapwada – Padose, which is just three km from Sakhali, lacks the basic
amenities like electricity and potable water.
Around 50 people reside here.
“ We are the second generation living here and I have also obtained the
required house number from the panchayat but am yet to get an electricity
connection,” Kashinath Palkar, in his sixties told Herald.
“ We have heard that as per our rights, the government should supply us with
basic amenities like electricity and water. But it’s been more than 60 years
that we have been wondering as to why we are deprived of our rights,” he asked.
He along with others had made several applications to the panchayat but all
their pleas have failed to evoke any response. “ Since there is no electricity,
our children are forced to use kerosene lamps or have to go to other houses
where there is electricity,” Madhukumar, another resident, said.
“ We are concerned about our children's future.
We have spent our life in darkness why should our children have the same fate,”
Madhukumar asked.
Reaching Talapwada is also difficult task as there is no tarred road. To add to
this, the place is totally isolated from the main village. The government has
installed electricity poles but is yet to provide POWER TO PEOPLE! “ The
officials do not provide an ambulance service due to bad road conditions. In
case of an emergency, we have to take our families to a distance of about a
kilometre and then avail the ambulance service,” Alwin Kashi, another resident,
said.
“ If one thinks that electricity and roads are the only problems these
villagers face then it is not true. Another major problem these people are
faced with is water. During the monsoon, we collect rainwater for our needs but
during summer, we have to depend upon the Walvanti River, which is about a km
away from Talapwada. During night time, there is always a danger of wild
animals attacking us,” Ashwini Palkar said.
At times, water in the irrigation canal, near their houses, is not fit for
human consumption.
“ We have no other option but to boil the same for drinking purpose,” Ashwini
claimed.
Last year, the residents had applied to the Health Department to supply them
with drinking water, but the plan failed as the residents did not have the
money to lay the pipelines.
Now, the residents are waiting for the government to provide them with
electricity and water.
When Herald contacted Parye panchayat sarpanch, Babuso Mandrekar, he expressed
his ignorance about any such place existing at Padose.
" We are not opposing anyone and it would be helpful for us to know where the
place is so that we could help them," Babuso said and he further told the
reporter to return with his queries.
THE CUP OF WOES• Eight families living without electricity for many years•
Several applications made to the panchayat but to no avail• Children are forced
to study with the help of kerosene lamps or have to go to other houses where
there is electricity• Officials do not provide an ambulance service due to bad
road conditions• During emergency, families forced to travel about a kilometre
to avail the ambulance facility• During monsoon season, locals collect
rainwater to satisfy their drinking water needs Candle- lit session SAMIR UMARYE
