Benaulim gram sabha favours disqualification of Sarpanch

Benaulim gram sabha favours disqualification of Sarpanch
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 26
The special gram Sabha meeting of Benaulim Panchayat held on Monday has demanded that the Panchayat file a disqualification petition against the Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes for the sins of omission and commission.
Gram Sabha also reiterated their demand for the dissolution of the Panchayat body, accusing the elected representatives for failing to protect the interest of the village and the constituents.
Agitated members also questioned the absence of the some of the Panchayat members for the special gram Sabha meeting.
They demanded to know the absence of  Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes and Panch member Xavier Pereira, saying the duo have not been attending the gram Sabha meetings in recent times.
In fact, the agitated members demanded to know what steps the Panchayat has made to act on the resolution adopted by the Panchayat to seek the disqualification of Panch member Xavier Pereira for his absence at the gram Sabha meetings.
Meanwhile, the gram Sabha members questioned the Acting Sarpanch Stanley Fernandes over the failure by the Panchayat body to lodge a FIR against Panch Xavier Pereira for taking away an official file out of the Panchayat body.
Holding Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes responsible for the proliferation of migrant slum at Tolleabandh, the members demanded that the Panchayat file a petition seeking her disqualification from office. Agitated members felt the Panchayat members have no right to be in office if they have no respect for the resolutions passed by the Gram Sabha meetings.