Team Herald
QUEPEM: The special gram sabha of Avdem Panchayat on Sunday took strong exception to the Additional Director of Panchayats instructing the panchayat to grant a construction licence to the expansion of a distillery here.
The Additional Director directed the panchayat to issue construction licence to a distillery within a period of 10 days even as the gram sabha members vehemently opposed the expansion project.
The panchayat secretary stated that the Additional Director had notified the panchayat to issue construction license within the period of 10 days for the expansion of the factory.
Franky Patoda objecting to the opposing the order tooth and nail alleged that the construction and expansion of the project has already taken place in spite of the court e opposing the expansion project. “It is very strange on the part of the Additional Director of Panchayats to instruct the secretary to issue a license when the said construction is already completed. There should not be two sets of rules –one for the common man and the other for the high and mighty,” said Paroda and added that the people have to be taken into confidence when it is a matter concerning the village.
Vishal Dessai, another gram sabha member, said that the villagers were opposing the this project for the last 20 years and now it was unanimously resolved to go to the Sessions court with the matter and get seek stay on the decision of the Additional Collector.
Sarpanch Bupindra Desai said that the panchayat rallied behind the villagers and unanimously opposed the decision of the Additional Director and would appeal against the order in the Sessions Court.
