MARGAO: The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum raised strong objections to the repeated transfers of Secretaries Colva panchayat which caters to a very large population in the four villages of Sernabatim, Vanelim, Colva & Gandaulim. 

According to CCCF representative Judith Almeida, repeated transfers cause chaos in the functioning of the panchayat and it is the common man that suffers the most. 

“The Panchayat is a service provider and such actions by the Directorate of Panchayats only violate the Consumer Rights of the citizen,” Judith said.

On Monday, the present Secretary who had served the Panchayat about seven months had been transferred. 

“What is shocking is that every time Ms Sandhya Shirodkar, who is not only inefficient and lacks knowledge of the Panchayati Raj Act and has several complaints against her, keeps repeatedly finding favour with the Director of Panchayat and comes back to this panchayat. She must be having a political godfather/mother for her to get repeatedly appointed to the Colva Panchayat. It has been utter chaos during each of her tenures and hence it is unacceptable to have her appointed once again in the Panchayat of Colva,” Judith said.

 Judith complemented the outgoing Secretary Paresh Rane for the smooth functioning of the panchayat. “There is no doubt that he has proved to be efficient and prompt in service,” she said.  

She appealed to the Director of Panchayat to cancel the appointment of Ms Sandhya in public interest, failing which, she said, CCCF would explore legal options.