Goa: Across party lines, 7 panchayats in Bardez unite to serve Covid families

PANAJI: Over the past two weeks, villages across Bardez have seen a steady rise in Covid-19 cases. The distress this has caused for affected families is not lost on panchayat members, who have for some time now been hearing of entire families testing positive. This has led members of seven panchayats to unite across party lines with the common help of bringing relief to affected villagers.
Sarpanch and panch members of Saligao, Sangolda, Pilerne, Guirim, Reis Magos, Verem and Nerul panchayats converged for a meeting on Sunday, where it was decided that free meals should be centrally-cooked and delivered by panchayat members to self-isolating families of Covid patients.
“We decided on Sunday that two free meals a day should be provided, and by Monday itself, we had received requirements from 120 families. As days go by, the requirement is likely to go up manifold, but we are prepared to meet the demand,” said Sangolda panch member Premanand Kochrekar.
The initial funds required came from the pockets of the sarpanch and panch members themselves.
“Every Thursday, the Sai Baba Mandir at Sangolda served mahaprasad to 2,000 to 3,000 persons,” said Pilerne panchayat member Karan Govenkar. “They had a ready setup of a kitchen, and temple officials were kind enough to agree to our proposal almost instantly. To be able to maintain the best hygiene, no one besides the temple catering team is allowed in the kitchen. We only monitor distribution of the food packets, which are picked up by each panchayat member from us as per their requirement.”
The team is overwhelmed with donations in groceries they have already begun receiving on the first day of their service itself, on Monday.
“We have refused cash in the interest of transparency,” said Govenkar. “Our aim through the initiative is that others should start similar services in religious institutions in their panchayats. If each panchayat takes such a step, then so many in need can receive relief. We clarified it on day 1 itself that persons across party lines should come forward, and they have.”
While packets for lunch are available from 1pm onwards, dinner food packages are ready for pickup by 7pm.
“We provide rice, curry, bhaji in the afternoons and soup, bhaji and chapati in the evenings, keeping in mind the nutrition of Covid patients. Only, we have to be informed one day in advance so we can prepare meals accordingly,” said Kochrekar.
Ajay Govekar, Rupesh Naik, Sandeep Bandodkar and Fondu Naik are the other panchayat members actively involved in the initiative.