Team Herald
MARGAO: The Benaulim Civic and Social Forum (BCSF) and the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum have criticised the Benaulim panchayat for allowing the disqualified panch Carmelina Fernandes to take part in panchayat activities.
Addressing media persons on Wednesday, Jose Rodrigues, a member of BCSF, along with Colva Civic Forum secretary Judith Almeida, said that Carmelina was disqualified as a panch on November 6, 2015, by the Director of Panchayats.
Since Carmelina has been disqualified, she cannot be allowed to carry on as a panch in discharging the official duties of the panchayat, Rodrigues claimed, adding, that the Forum has written to the Salcete Block Development Office to bar Carmelina from acting as a panch.
Judith Almeida criticised the panchayat for allowing the disqualified panch to play a role in carrying out certain development projects in the village.
Carmelina was disqualified as a panch following a petition filed by BCSF, alleging that during her tenure as sarpanch, she committed gross illegalities by abusing her powers.
Carmelina “aided illegal construction of a beach resort in a no development zone classified under the coastal regulation zone in Benaulim for monetary considerations. This was done in violation of a High Court order which had directed the panchayat not to issue licence/permission for construction,” the BCSF complaint alleged.
