Team Herald
MARGAO: The lockdown has resulted in 10 of the 30 panchayats in Salcete not having their gram sabhas that the Panchayatiraj Act mandates.
While panchayats did not have the gram sabha in the month of March due to the Code of Conduct over the proposed Zilla Panchayat elections being in force, subsequently the gram sabhas could not be held due to the lockdown.
Raia panchayat was supposed to have its gram sabha on March 1, but the same was postponed to March 29 on account of the Code of Conduct but then the lockdown was ordered on March 22.
Chandor Cavorim had its gram sabha on February 23, but did not discuss the budget; while Orlim that cancelled its gram sabha scheduled on February 23 and held a special gram sabha on March 15 to discuss the budget.
This means 12 village panchayats are presently functioning without their budget being approved by the gram sabha. However, the threat of COVID-19 gives them leverage as no action will be taken against them for not having the gram sabha in the first quarter of the year.
The 10 panchayats that did not have the gram sabhas are Assolna, Chinchinim-Deussua, Dramapur-Sirlim, Velim, Sao Jose de Areal, Betalbatim, Loutolim, Varca, Cana-Benaulim and Raia.
