MARGAO: In an unexpected twist, residents of Benaulim have lodged complaints against the village panchayat, alleging that it has quietly handed over the photocopier machine from the panchayat office to the office of the assistant returning officer, causing significant inconvenience to the local community.
Rudolf Barretto, a resident of Benaulim, spearheaded the complaint, demanding the prompt and safe return of the photocopier machine to the panchayat office. Barretto argued that the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, does not contain provisions that allow for the requisitioning of photocopiers from public institutions for electoral processes.
“It has been observed that your office has meekly handed over the photocopier machine of the Panchayat to the Office of the Assistant Returning Officer for the 28-Nuvem and 29-Curtorim Assembly Constituency based on a requisition order dated April 22. The said order refers to powers vested under Section 160 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951,” he stated in his complaint.
Barretto criticised the panchayat office for not consulting the provisions of Section 160 or seeking legal advice before complying with the order. He emphasised that this action has deprived the panchayat and its Gram Sabha members of the photocopier’s services, causing considerable inconvenience to the general public.
Additionally, Barretto proposed that the office of the returning officer should compensate the panchayat for the losses incurred due to the absence of the photocopier machine. He suggested pursuing compensation as outlined under Section 161 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the unauthorised requisitioning of the machine.
