They alleged that acting Sarpanch Orlando Da Silva displayed a notice on the panchayat notice board at 9.45 am, informing that the gram sabha will be held at 9 am. The notice had allegedly been issued on September 29. Additionally, Dinesh Gaonkar had been posted as the new panchayat secretary on the Friday.
By the time the locals learned of the meeting, it was already over. They claimed that the notice had been put up late as the panchayat did not want anyone to attend the meeting.
“When I asked the secretary and acting sarpanch why the notice had not been put up on time, the blame game started. As per the minute book, the meeting started at 9 am, but the notice dated September 29 was put up at 9.45 am. The acting sarpanch and panches Sandra and Xavier were present, while panch Prisco joined later,” stated Socorro Miranda, president of the Carmona village social welfare forum.
He added, “The Block Development Officer (BDO) and Director of Panchayat should inquire into the matter. The panchayat has taken the public for a ride. We have pictures and will submit them as proof.”
One of the matters to be discussed at the panchayat meeting on Saturday was the proposal of panch Carlos Jorge to convene the special gram sabha. Locals are now wondering if the panchayat will raise the Raheja issue as it had been taken up at Friday’s meeting.
The public will hold a candlelight march from the panchayat ghar to the church after meeting on Saturday. Meanwhile, Carmona locals have also voiced their support to those protesting the golf course project in Tiracol and those fighting other real estate projects that violate laws.
