Team Herald
MARGAO: The signature campaign for the demand to build western bypass on stilts is getting positive response from the villagers of Benaulim, but the panchayat body is in a confused state pertaining to call a special gram sabha only to discuss western bypass issue.
However, On Monday, the panchayat resolved to hold a gram sabha on May 1, wherein the issue of western bypass will be included in the agenda along with other important issues.
Benaulim Village Panchayat held their executive body meeting, wherein it was resolved to hold the gram sabha on May 1. At the same time, many panchas took Sarpanch Vencilla Fernandes to task for not calling the gram sabha on April 24, as decided earlier.
“Issue of western bypass, along with proposed work of laying of pipeline for treated sewage water in Benaulim will be discussed, besides Budget will be passed in the meeting,” informed Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai.
A few days ago, villagers of Benaulim held a signature campaign for the special gram sabha to discuss the western bypass project. A memorandum with nearly 1,128 signatures has been submitted to the panchayat in this regard.
Villagers want to deliberate on this issue in detail and to pass a resolution demanding western bypass on stilts.
According to sources, earlier at the executive meeting, the panchayat body had decided to call a gram sabha on April 24, with a three-point agenda which includes passing of Budget, western bypass and laying of pipeline to release treated sewage water into the River Sal in Benaulim, but till date no notice pertaining to the same was issued.
“Maximum panchas took sarpanch to task on Monday for failing to call a meeting. However, later it was revealed that sarpanch and secretary were in a total confused state due to the advice given by the Block Level Officer. Whatever may be the situation the sarpanch should have informed about the confusions to the other members,” Deputy Sarpanch said, who also claimed that he was kept in the dark about the prevailing situations.
Now, with hardly a few days left, the panchayat body has resolved to hold the gram sabha on May 1, and fair opportunity will be given to the villagers to discuss the western bypass project.
