Team Herald
MARGAO: The residents of two villages have expressed their ire over the absence of panchayat members at the gram sabhas with those from Carmona forcing the Sarpanch to adjourn the meeting and re-convene it on November 24, 2019.
At Sarzora the villagers were upset that only four of the seven panchayat members were present for the gram sabha and said they get the opportunity only at the gram sabha to get answers from their elected representative who, they alleged, abstain from gram sabhas to avoid answering questions.
Sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas expressed her helplessness in the matter and disclosed that she had sent notices to all the panchayat members to attend the gram sabha. The villagers pointed out that a panchayat member attracts disqualification for not attending three consecutive body meetings and demanded something similar for not attending gram sabhas and asked the Sarpanch to write to the panchayat minister and director about their views.
At Carmona, the villagers were upset that only three of the seven panchayat members were present and also accused the Sarpanch of not publicizing the gram sabha adequately due to which only 18 villagers were present for the gram sabha.
The villagers argued that announcing in the church on 3rd November and publishing a notice in the newspaper was not sufficient publicity and asserted that the vehicle announcing the gram sabha should have been moved in the village.
Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge disclosed that the vehicle was not moved as the person who makes the announcements was sick and hence the villagers demanded that the gram sabha be adjourned and held on 24th November thus giving sufficient time to publicise the venue and agenda of the gram sabha.
Allwyn pointed out that various communications from the authorities remained without discussing and will now be taken up for discussion on 24th November. These include the memorandum from BDO restricting issuance of Construction licenses and Occupancy Certificates for multi dwelling units for non compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules.
Besides the letter from Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation regarding dropping of the playground and sports upgradation project, High Court order regarding Verda project and desilting of River Sal were also scheduled to be discussed on Sunday.
