Team Herald

MARGAO: The Chandor Cavorim Panchayat has decided to convene an extraordinary gram sabha shortly to discuss the budget for the year 2018-19 after the villagers pointed out various anomalies in the one taken up for discussion and approval on Sunday.

The villagers pointed out that the budget was not prepared based on the actual income and expenditure of the previous year. They also pointed out that the panchayat had shown only Rs 3 lakh as receipts for garbage fund when in reality the panchayat was entitled to Rs 5 lakh.

Besides, it was also pointed out that the figures for 2016-17 as mentioned in the budget were at variance with the figures mentioned in the Audit Report for that year which was also placed for discussion on Sunday.

The panchayat was also caught on the wrong foot as it was unable to inform the gram sabha how many cases were pending in court where an advocate represented the panchayat when the question was asked about provision for advocates fees.

Faced with the barrage of questions regarding the anomalies, the sarpanch relented and agreed to have an extraordinary gram sabha to discuss a revised and renewed budget. Sarpanch Celina Furtado also appealed to villagers to help the panchayat prepare a proper budget.

Meanwhile, the Curtorim gram sabha approved a surplus budget of Rs 1,31,56,000 while Davorlim Dicarpale gram sabha approved a surplus budget of Rs 1.17 crore. Varca Gram Sabha only discussed and adopted the audit report while the budget will be discussed at another meeting.