CALANGUTE: Calangute villagers moved a motion and elected panch member Gabriel Fernandes to chair a meeting as per the Panchayati Raj Act after the Sarpanch Shawn Martin; Deputy Sarpanch Sudesh Mayenkar and Panchayat Secretary Raghuvir Bhagkar refused to be present at the special Gram Sabha after the Independence Day celebration at the Panchayat office.
Only three panch members were present, Garbriel Fernandes, Anthony Menezes and Rupa Chodankar. The villagers informed that the secretary took signatures of selective people on the ‘minutes book’ while the flag hoisting was going on to show that the special gram sabha was held.
The villagers were furious when the sarpanch misguided them that the BDO told him not to hold the special gram sabha. The three panch members present told the villagers that no notice was issued by the Sarpanch in this regard.
The Ex-Sarpanch of Calangute and present panch, Anthony Menezes showed photos of the latest ODP which he had clicked on his phone from the NGPDA office. He also alleged that the local MLA had made changes despite the High Court’s directive not to do so.
“The present ODP will destroy the fields and hills of Calangute. Even after the villagers’ objection to the ODP and illegal conversion of fields and hills into settlement and commercial zones, the MLA is going ahead with the conversion. Let the MLA do what he wants. I will stand by the people of Calangute and not allow illegal things to be carried out especially in my ward,” Menezes said.
Premanand Divkar, a Calangute resident, condemned the act of the Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch and Secretary to remain absent from the special gram sabha. He also raised the issue of toilet commodes and other debris being dumped in front of St Alex Church, Calangute.
