PANJIM: Calangute panchayat, via a writ petition in High Court of Bombay at Goa, has challenged the delimitation of wards and reservations for the upcoming panchayat polls.
The panchayat has challenged the delimitation and reservation process only in Calangute panchayat and sought interim relief, however the court has not granted any.
In its petition the panchayat said that Director of Panchayats has not carried out any exercise to change the geographical boundary of the wards, shift the voters from the existing wards as notified in the year 2012 to the changed ward which is contrary to Article 243 C and 243 K of the Constitution of India and rule 3 of the Goa Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat (Election) Procedure Rules, 1996.
“The change of geographical boundary of the wards in case of village panchayat Calangute has been done arbitrarily whereas the other panchayats like Candolim, Pilerne, Nerul, Reis Magos, Parra has been maintained as per wards notified in the year 2012,” the petition states.
The panchayat has said that there is complete discrimination in relation of Calangute. Change of geographical boundary of wards and shifting of voters has been done without giving opportunity to file objections and without having heard the voters, the petitioner submitted to the court.
The High Court is already hearing another petition related to the panchayat polls. Last week the HC had disposed off one petition and asked the government to hold elections on time, whereas the second petition, which challenges the powers of the Director of Panchayats for delimitation and reservation of wards, is schedule to be heard further.
