Bedlam at Areal gram sabha
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 28
Uproar marred the gram sabha meeting of Sao Jose de Areal on Sunday as the meeting was held up for nearly 15-20 minutes after members demanded that the deputy sarpanch who was chairing the meeting step down and make way for another member to chair the proceedings.
The incident occurred when a commotion broke out between gram sabha members over some issues during the confirmation of minutes. Gram sabah members took strong objections to the reported action by the deputy Sarpanch Vincy Mascarenhas for clicking photographs on his cell phone.
Agitated gram sabha members demanded to know from the deputy Sarpanch the reasons for taking the photographs on his mobile. Suspecting hanky panky, the gram sabha members resolved that the deputy sarpanch vacates the chair and vowed not to allow the proceedings to continue till another member chaired the meeting.
The meeting was held up for nearly 15-20 minutes before Mascarenhas vacated the chair and the gram sabha later approved the name of former Sarpanch and Panch Martha Cardozo to chair the proceedings.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha passed the budget with gram sabha members demanding that the panchayat make provision for garbage and sanitation in the estimates.
Members also sought to know why no provision has been made for the library. The general housing for ST and OBC also came up for discussion during the meeting.
