MARGAO: Villagers of Sao Jose de Areal on Sunday forced the panchayat to adjourn the gram sabha which is now scheduled for September 9. The gram sabha began on a stormy note and even the minutes of the previous gram sabha could not be read.
As soon as the gram sabha was called to order, villagers led by Fidelis Freddy Travasso and Peter Viegas were up on their feet demanding an explanation why their suggestions were rejected by the panchayat body.
The last date for submitting suggestions or recommendations by the villagers to be taken up for discussion for the gram sabha was August 22 which was a holiday due to Eid celebration. Hence quite a few applications were submitted on August 23.
Initially, the panchayat staff refused to accept these applications but then the villagers went to the BDO’s office and following instructions from the BDO’s office, the panchayat staff accepted the applications.
However, at the panchayat body meeting it was decided to reject all the applications that were given after August 22. “We also decided to reject some applications which were personal including complaints against neighbours,” said Sarpanch Perris D’Costa.
The panchayat wrote letters to the people whose applications were rejected but did not mention under which section of the law they were being rejected and this lapse was raised by the villagers today.
