TEAM HERALD
MERCES: Not satisfied with the panchayat authorities over non-recovery of house tax arrears, Santa Cruz villagers urged newly-elected Sarpanch Namdev Naik to take the issue seriously and issue demand notices to defaulters so that the amount could be used for development of the village.
The issue came up at the gram sabha on Sunday with Peter Gonsalves seeking to know what action the panchayat has taken to recover the house tax arrears and how many defaulters have been issued demand notices.
Sarpanch Naik said he is unaware of it as he has only recently taken over and that he needs time to study the issue.
Expressing surprise over the statement, Gonsalves questioned whether the panchayat authorities are taking for granted resolutions passed at the gram sabha and whether they are treating gram sabhas as “pass-time meetings”.
“Is there no co-ordination among the panchas of the ruling panel and are we to expect similar replies in the future when some other panch takes over as sarpanch,” asked Gonsalves.
Later, Gonsalves urged the panchayat to issue demand notices to defaulters at the earliest so that the huge amount of house tax and other arrears could be recovered and used for development of village.
Gonsalves also took the panchayat to task for not taking the supervisory committee into confidence while undertaking development activities in the village and questioned the purpose of having a supervisory committee if it remains only on paper.
Earlier, Renato Dias highlighted the nuisance created by the rickshaws parked near the Church Square resulting in traffic congestion, particularly during school hours.
“The rickshaws should not be allowed to park near the Church Square so that traffic congestion is avoided,” Dias further resolved while stating that, temporarily, parking could be allowed after school hours (after 2 pm).
“As a permanent measure, the rickshaw stand should be shifted near the Santa Cruz ground,” he added.
Agreeing to the suggestion, Sarpanch Naik said he will first speak to the rickshaw owners and take appropriate decision.
When the audit report for 2011-12 was placed for discussion, Reggie Gomes objected to it stating that they need time to study the report and demanded that the panchayat should hold a special meeting to discuss it.
“The panchayat should display the audit report on the office notice board,” said Gomes and urged the panchayat to hold the special meeting within one month to which the sarpanch agreed.
Holding of the village feast fair for a prolonged period also came up for discussion with some villagers suggesting that it should be limited only for three days and that hawkers should be shifted elsewhere so that traffic congestion do not take place.
However, other villagers objecting to the same since the members present at the gram sabha do not form a majority. “The issue should be discussed at the next gram sabha and public announcement should be made so that villagers, including stakeholders, get an opportunity to present their views,” a villager said.
