ARAMBOL: The Arambol Panchayat finds itself entangled in a financial crisis, grappling with insufficient funds that hinder development works. The revelation came to light as current Panchayat Secretary, Sachin Dhavaskar, took charge, uncovering a pre-existing loss of Rs 31 lakh. In response, the gram sabha unanimously passed a resolution, urging a complaint against former panchayat members and the secretary, accusing them of mishandling funds and initiating development projects without proper planning.
Secretary Dhavaskar highlighted the difficulty in executing development works due to the lack of funds. Marceline Fernandes proposed streamlining the process for businesses to obtain NOCs by reducing mandatory requirements, a resolution that gained unanimous approval.
Concerns were raised by villagers regarding beggars and vendors engaging in illegal activities on the beach. Questions were posed about tax collections by the police, TourismDepartment, and Sopo contractor. Sarpanch Bernard Fernandes stated that a complaint had been lodged against vendors with the police.
Tensions rose in ward IV as villagers confronted the Sarpanch over the classification of 187 establishments at Girkarwada as illegal. Questions were raised about the basis for deeming them illegal, with accusations of ulterior motives. Former Sarpanch Inacio Desouza accused the current Sarpanch of taking such actions to safeguard his own construction interests. The Sarpanch and Secretary attempted to calm the situation, assuring that they supported the locals.
