Team Herald
BENAULIM: The ‘emergency’ Benaulim panchayat meeting on Wednesday passed a resolution in favour of the proposed 15-bedded Benaulim Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Mazilwaddo-Benaulim.
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Benaulim deputy sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudessai said, “A resolution had been passed approving the proposed Benaulim PHC which will now be sent to the government through NCP’s Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who will speak on this matter during the ongoing Assembly session and thus, bring it to the attention of the government. While six panchas comprising sarpanch Vencila Fernandes, deputy Nilesh Prabhudessai, David Fernandes, Remedios Fernandes, Ezlina Fernandes and Menino Fernandes have passed this resolution, while five panch members – Xavier Pereira, Glida Fernandes, Felicia Noronha, Joao Albuquerque and Diella Fernandes, who was the former sarpanch opposed it. They are claiming that the site, which is a government property, belongs to the Institute of Public Assistance Provedoria meant for the poor so does this mean this health centre is for the rich?”
“As per the last Census, Benaulim with a population of 30,000 has no health centre with the villagers having to visit the Cansaulim Health Centre. Hence, an emergency meeting was convened by the sarpanch wherein it has been resolved to have a minimum 15-bedded health centre in Benaulim. As during this pandemic, a health centre is the need of the hour,” Prabhudessai remarked.
Former deputy sarpanch and panch Menino said, “All 11 panchas were present for this emergency panchayat meeting with the resolution being passed by 6-5 votes in favour of the Benaulim PHC proposed by MLA Alemao.”
However, opposition panch Xavier disclosed that he had raised his objections to the ‘emergency’ panchayat meeting being convened by the Benaulim sarpanch and questioned her over the timing of ‘12.30 am’ stated in the notice issued on Monday, January 25. Xavier demanded to know the reasons for the so-called ‘emergency’ as the notice was issued on Monday, January 25 convening the meeting on Wednesday, January 27 pointing out that as per the rules a special meeting had to be convened with a clear three days notice issued to the members.
Meanwhile, the deputy sarpanch denied that there was any ‘chaos’ at the special gram sabha held on Tuesday on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day.
“The health centre was not on the agenda of the special gram sabha as there was a single point of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) that was discussed at the meeting,” Prabhudessai clarified.
