MARGAO: In view of the disagreement regarding the resolution to revoke the construction licence to Raheja, the four panchas that moved it have called for a panchayat meeting on October 9 to resolve the matter.
On Sunday morning, the four panchas rushed to the panchayat on hearing that acting Sarpanch Orlando Da Silva and the remaining panchas were there. While discussing the proceedings of the panchayat meeting held on Saturday, both sides stuck to their version.
The four panchas – Divina Rodrigues, Lavita Dias, Carlos Jorge and Prisco Rodrigues – then submitted a written request to hold the panchayat meeting on October 9 to confirm the minutes of the October 3 meeting and to discuss the matters that were originally listed for the special gram sabha on October 11.
It is to be noted that during the panchayat meeting on Saturday, Orlando had stated that the panchayat would place the Raheja matter before the gram sabha once it received the inspection report of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department. He had reiterated that the panchayat would withdraw its construction licence only if the TCP revokes the technical clearance issued to the Raheja project.
When asked if the resolution had been recorded in the minutes of Saturday’s meeting, the panchayat secretary stated that the minutes would be confirmed at the next panchayat meeting.
Carmona villagers are also in favour of the panchayat meeting on Oct 9.
After the meeting on Saturday, triumphant villagers held a candlelight procession to the church and promised to follow up on the inspection carried out earlier this week by the TCP, which is yet to submit its inspection report.
The meeting also saw panchas Lavita, Carlos and Prisco exchange allegations with Orlando. The trio accused him of misleading them when they were working in good faith, while Lavita added that Orlando had tried to pressurize her to act how he wanted her to act. Carlos also questioned how Orlando did not know about the cross that was omitted from Raheja’s property plans.
Orlando refuted the allegations and reiterated that the construction licence cannot be revoked by the panchayat until the TCP withdraws its clearance.
While addressing the press, Orlando had also accused Raheja’s opponents of targeting him instead of fighting the authorities that granted technical clearance to the project.
Reacting to questions about the site inspection that was held without first placing the file at a panchayat meeting, Orlando blamed the former panchayat secretary Krishna Dessai for not following due procedure.
Incidentally, Dessai had been transferred three days before the meeting, but he attended the same along with the new panchayat secretary Dinesh Gaonkar. Police were also present to maintain law and order during the meeting.
When asked if he would push for the dissolution of the panchayat, Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva stated that he would not interfere in the panchayat’s functioning, but would continue the fight.
