Raising the issue, Clothildes Braganza sought to know why Calangute Panchayat failed to initiate action against the construction at Naikka Vaddo even though she had informed the panchayat in May besides subsequent reminders.
In his reply, Vinayak (Subhash) Salgaonkar, who chaired the meeting, said the panchayat has sent a notice to the party concerned on Saturday.
Interrupting Salgaonkar, Jose Braganza questioned the motive in sending the notice on Saturday while the concrete work on the project was being carried out in full swing on Sunday.
Braganza termed the construction by the present panch as “fraud” and questioned how the panchayat issued a repair license when there was no existing structure. Braganza has sought disqualification of the panch. Joseph Sequeira assured to initiate action by following due process, but the complainants were not happy with the replies.
Raising another issue, Braganza sought to know why the panchayat or sarpanch still insist on signature of the ward member concerned for renewals of licences despite a resolution adopted in previous gram sabha. Sequeira said the practice is being followed as the sarpanch is not well aware of a particular case.
Braganza claimed that it amounts to harassment to an individual if he or she does not talk to ward member. Sequeira assured to take up the matter in the body meeting.
Another issue that was hotly debated was the night clubs. Deliberating on the issue, Sequeira said the State government and elected representatives have failed to enact laws that help in curbing illegal activities at night clubs, but have been in forefront in passing the buck on the local body.
“We are also equally responsible for the disgrace to Calangute through night clubs, as we have been renting our premises to outsiders for the sake of money. If we had to be a little bit cautious while renting our premises or business establishments, the name of Calangute would have not been defamed,” said Sequeira.
Various other issues like gross CRZ violations by builders, construction of compound walls beyond permissible limits by builders, closure of traditional accesses, parking woes, damage to water pipeline due to sewerage works, etc, were also discussed.
Earlier, Panchayat Secretary Arjun Velip read the minutes of the previous meeting, while Salgaonkar chaired the meeting in his capacity as acting sarpanch. Cliffton Azavedo was the observer for the meeting.
