MARGAO: Uproar was witnessed on Sunday at the Village Panchayat of Betalbatim gram sabha over the issue of market sopo auction. However, later the panchayat body postponed the auctioning procedure.
Around 60 to 70 members gathered opposed the market sopo auction stating that the village panchayat failed to call a gram sabha meeting.
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Members rushed inside the panchayat office over the issue and gheraoed Sarpanch Constancio Miranda, besides the panchayat secretary. They claimed that there are several other important issues to be discussed which the panchayat body needs to call a gram sabha meeting.
They further alleged that without having a gram sabha meeting, the panchayat is trying to conduct the auction of market sopo by keeping the villagers in the dark.
The gram sabha members even charged the panchayat secretary for harassing the villagers, and alleged that he is engaged in taking money from the people by threatening action against them.
“What was the need of haste in conducting the market sopo auction, and that too without having a gram sabha meeting?” asked the villagers. However, the sarpanch cited the reasons of COVID-19 pandemic and other activities for the delay in holding the gram sabha meeting.
Speaking to media, Joe Cota, gram sabha member said that there is something fishy in holding the market sopo auction and that too without having a gram sabha meeting.
“Our point was simple, as we want a gram sabha meeting to be held in order to discuss the other important issues of the village. We have no issue in holding sopo auction, but let the gram sabha be held,” he stated.
He further said that on Saturday the panchayat body held their meeting, but nothing has been recorded.
“It has been brought to our notice that the panchayat body has passed several resolutions granting permissions for the projects without discussing those in the gram sabha meeting. Panchayat body is trying to suppress the voice of the people,” he charged.
Sarpanch Constancio Miranda said that they have deferred the auctioning procedure due to the objections by the gram sabha members.
“Now we will be having our gram sabha meeting on April 10 upon the request of the people, and thereafter the auction will be done,” he stated.
He also said that they could not hold the gram sabha meeting in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, and also because of some unavoidable circumstances.
