Team Herald 

MARGAO: Benaulim resident Cruz Fernandes has claimed that panch member Nilesh Prabhudessai, who boycotted the October 20 special gram sabha held to discuss the migrant issue, is a “migrant”.

Cruz claimed that Nilesh migrated from Canacona to Benaulim and resided in a rented tenement with House No 595/4 belonging to Ramath Kundaikar. Nilesh is registered voter, but the house tax is paid by Ramnath.

Alleging that Nilesh provides no revenue to the panchayat even by way of house tax, Cruz said the panch has no moral right to be a member of the panchayat given the fact that he is a “migrant”.

He said at present Nilesh does not live in the chawl where he is a registered voter a fact admitted by Nilesh, who says he lives in a flat near Fatorda. 

However, Nilesh said he is a registered voter in Benaulim he has every right to contest the elections and be elected to the panchayat.

Brushing aside the implication that being a “migrant” he was supporting the migrants in the village against the wishes to the original inhabitants, he claimed that he suggested to the panchayat to hold a special gram sabha to ensure that both sides be given a fair hearing.