Agitated Benaulim members recall file for approval
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 18
Agitated gram sabha members of Benaulim village on Sunday demanded the recall of a mega housing construction file forwarded to the Town and Country Planning department for technical approval.
At the gram sabha meeting, the members pointed out that the Panchayat did not place the revision plan submitted by the builder before the gram sabha meeting for discussion and approval as per a gram sabha resolution and demanded its immediate recall from the TCP office.
Members further pointed out that the existing road to the project is hardly three meters and wondered how the project can be cleared with the proposed road of 10 meters.
The meeting witnessed an uproar over the absence of the Sarpanch Carmelina Fernnades on medical grounds and the failure by the deputy Sarpanch Stanley Fernandes to answers queries raised by the members on a host of issues. Members demanded to know from Stanley over the presence of the Sarpanch in the panchayat office a day ago when she was on sick leave. They contended that the absence of the sarpanch on medical grounds is just a ploy to avoid the gram sabha and answer queries raised by the members.
The gram sabha meeting had to be adjourned without transacting major business as the deputy Sarpanch expressed his inability to reply to the questions raised by the members.
The gram sabha members were sore over the fact that today’s meeting was an adjourned meeting of the month of January and wondered when the Sarpanch would convene the gram sabha meeting of the month of April.
The members also pulled up the panchayat secretary for not properly recording the proceedings of the last gram sabha meeting and demanded that the secretary take serious note of the sentiments of the gram sabha.
The issue over the issuance of construction license for Karle properties came up for discussion at today’s meeting. The filing of the complaint by the deputy sarpanch against some villagers was also discussed, with members demanding the withdrawal of the complaint lodged with the police.
