MARGAO, JUNE 16
Strange this may seem, but true. The Colva Panchayat neither has a Sarpanch nor a deputy Sarpanch to attend to the administration and the general public these days.
While the Sarpanch Angela Soares has proceeded on a pilgrimage to Vailankanni, her deputy Anthony alias Mam Fernandes has gone on sick leave.
Sources in the know say this is perhaps the first time that both the Sarpanch and the deputy have gone on leave at the same time, leaving the administration crippled.
It is learnt that the deputy Sarpanch has proceeded on a month’s leave, beginning from June 6 on health grounds. The Sarpanch, on the other hand, went on leave from June 15 and is expected to resume charge of the Panchayat only on June 25.
The extraordinary situation has put the panchayat secretary in a fix, who is believed to have drawn the attention of the Salcete Block Development Officer.
Sources said the BDO has spoken to the Director of Panchayats the situation and has discussed the possibility of appointing an Administrator to fill the void left by the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch.
Inquiries have revealed that no administrator was appointed on Wednesday, and the panchayat is awaiting the authorities to resolve the imbroglio by appointing an administrator to run the day-to-day affairs.
