MARGAO: Several gram sabhas were held across Salcete on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, on Sunday.
Panchayats held oath-taking ceremonies, felicitation programmes and discussions on civic issues. There were also talks on public services, and health in particular, where primary health centre staff gave presentations at several of these gram sabhas.
At Curtorim, the zonal agricultural officer gave a presentation on agricultural schemes, while a doctor delivered one on public health.
Some gram sabhas, like Carmona, discussed developmental woks to be taken up under the 14th Finance Commission. Developmental works worth Rs 3 lakh, pertaining to cleaning of drains and wells, were sanctioned.
The Raia and Orlim gram sabha passed surplus budgets of Rs 1.78 lakh and 38 lakh respectively. The Raia gram sabha also decided to do away with the cart and cycle tax for the village. The Seraulim gram sabha called for the repair work of water pipelines and expediting the proposed flyover project.
There was commotion at the gram sabhas of Sao Jose De Areal. The first point taken was about the applications received from 21 gram sabha members regarding the allegedly illegal sale of plots without an approved sub-division plan from the TCP, Collectorate, panchayat and other authorities A powerpoint presentation was made on this and the people protested with placards against the alleged illegalities. After the presentation, the members demanded the gram sabha be adjourned until the plots were taken back. They later walked out of the hall in protest, and the gram sabha continued with only five members.
The members also demanded to know the status of the panchayat’s inspection of a tower at Sao Jose de Areal and the GSPCB’s inspection of Goa Carbon Factory, and for action to be initiated accordingly.
There was a similar commotion at the Majorda gram sabha, where villagers objected to a construction project and questioned the panchayat’s stand and actions regarding this.
Loutolim held a special gram sabha to discuss the Gram Development Panchayat Plan (GPDP) under the 14th Finance Commission, prepared by the Village Development Committee. The sarpanch read out a long list of developmental works, such as desilting of water bodies, construction of drainages and retaining walls, and development of open spaces, which were proposed to be executed under the 14th FC.
However, there were arguments over the absence of a functional village development committee and on the topic of developmental works chosen under the 14th FC. The gram sabha was later adjourned.
Gram sabhas were held at Ambelim, Sarzora, Camorlim, Davorlim, Rumdamol, Telaulim, Betalbatim, Navelim, Benaulim, Curtorim, Varca and Chinchinim, among other villages.
