TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Alleging mismanagement of funds, Kirlapal-Dabal Panch Ramakant Gaonkar plans to approach authorities concerned demanding an inquiry in the matter.
Gaonkar who was also the sarpanch in the nine-member Kirlapal-Dabal Panchayat in Dharbandora taluka was ousted following a no-confidence motion in February this year claimed that during his tenure as sarpanch he had taken every pancha into confidence and there was a clean administration.
Addressing a news conference in the city, Gaonkar stated: “I was brought down from the post probably some panchas did not like the clean administration and I did not entertain any wrong doing.”
Gaonkar claimed that he was not happy with the panchayat’s functioning, as a result he did not share dais with other panchayat members during the gram sabhas.
“I don’t like the way panchayat is functioning, as a result since the last two gram sabhas I have been sitting among the villagers. I also brought to the notice of the gram sabha how funds are being misused by the panchayat. However, the sarpanch tries to sideline the issues claiming that I am desperate as I was removed from the sarpanch’s chair,” stated Gaonkar.
Gaonkar claimed that he has documentary evidence to prove how funds pertaining to the purchase of street light electrical appliances and some other equipment are being mismanaged. He also claimed that the panchayat recently passed a resolution to build a shed at Morcani-Bandol, where there is already a shed.
“A year back through local MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, a shed was built and now again the panchayat has sent a proposal to construct a shed at the same place. The estimated cost is about Rs 3.57 lakh and I don’t understand what the panchayat is planning to do. I have objected to the idea however I am given to understand that the file pertaining to this project is already in process. I will write to the department concerned requesting to conduct an enquiry into the matter,” stated Gaonkar.
When contacted, Kirlapal Dabal Sarpanch Deepak Pawaskar denied the allegations and said: “There is no truth in the claims made by Panch Gaonkar. The electrical appliances have been distributed evenly to every ward and 10 per cent of the quota is kept reserve which can be used on special occasions in the village.”
“Pertaining to the shed, a resolution was taken but since the shed is already built the resolution stands cancelled and it has not been tendered,” stated the sarpanch.
