MERCES, JAN 30
Irked over the Merces panchayat authorities for not acting on a resolution of the previous gram sabha, the locals forced the adjournment of the Sunday gram sabha and demanded that the panchayat immediately act on the proposals of the villagers.
Trouble began when Panchayat Secretary Rupesh Halarnkar, after reading out the minutes of the previous gram sabha, urged the villagers to confirm the same.
But, villager Jerry Vaz objected and demanded that the panchayat first show what action it has taken on the proposal of the previous meet.
However, the panchayat authorities were unable to give a satisfactory reply on the first resolution adopted by the villagers and started giving vague replies, which was not acceptable to the locals.
Irked over the issue, Jerry then demanded that the gram sabha should be adjourned to another Sunday and the panchayat should see to it that the resolution is acted upon.
Justifying his demand, Jerry said: “The panchayat authorities are trying to make a mockery of the gram sabha by not acting on resolutions and instead of accepting their mistakes, they are trying to take the villagers for a ride by giving vague answers.”
Merces Sarpanch Deepika Shirgaonkar opined that just because one resolution has been overlooked, it does not necessitate adjournment of the gram sabha.
However, the demand for postponing the gram sabha only grew louder, and finally the panchayat authorities were forced to adjourn the meet, which has been now scheduled on February 20.
Meanwhile, there was heated discussion between villager Francis Fernandes and the ruling panchas as Francis leveled allegations that the panchayat is trying to take credit for the works done by the local MLA.
Referring to a drainage work in St Caitan ward, furious Francis said though the work was undertaken by the local MLA, the ruling panchas were busy impressing the villagers by taking credit for it.
But, Deputy Sarpanch Yateen Palekar refuted the allegations and informed that the said work was proposed by the Merces panchayat and hence they were taking credit for it.
However, other villagers also joined in support of Francis and castigated the panchayat for taking credit for works undertaken by the MLA.
Speaking to Herald, villager Francis Oliveira said it is wrong on the part of the panchayat to take credit for the MLA’s works and advised the panchayat authorities to first undertake development in the village and then take credit for it.
