MARGAO: The department of Public Grievances has directed the Panchayat Director to conduct a thorough inquiry into the complaint lodged by a resident of Sao Jose de Areal against the Panchayat secretary.
In a letter, Under Secretary, Public grievances Raju Gawas drew attention of the Panchayat Director, Narayan Sawant to the reply forwarded by the deputy Panchayat director on the same matter, terming the reply as vague and without application of mind.
While directing the Panchayat director to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter, Gawas also forwarded to the Panchayat director a fresh petition received from the resident of Sao Jose de Areal, Menino Fernandes and submit the report within one week to apprise the higher authorities on the issue.
In the fresh petition, Menino has demanded action against Secretary Rajendra Naik and Salcete BDO, Uday Prabhudesai for what the complainant termed as protecting the “illegal’ resolutions passed by the then panchayat body.
Menino has been waging a battle with the authorities over the last two years, demanding a thorough inquiry into the utilization of an open space for a playground on grounds that an open space cannot be altered. “Once an open space, it always has to been an open space as per the High Court order dated January 8, 2002 in the Down Mangor valley, Goa. Open spaces are reserved for the benefit of the residents concerned with the development,” he said in his petition.
