GRAM SABHAS IN BRIEF
CM’s statement on gram sabha powers comes to the fore at Carmona
MARGAO: Villagers of Carmona at the gram sabha meeting held on Sunday chaired by the Sarpanch lavita Dias questioned why the BPL list was being brought before gram sabha when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had stated at last assembly that gram sabha have no powers to direct panchayat body. The ball was set rolling as the sarpanch read the names of villagers to be included in the BPL list, when members of gram sabha questioned the sarpanch as to why she was asking the gram sabha to give its nod to include the names in BLP list. However, after much debate with no other issue to be taken up at the meeting the sarpanch adjourned the gram sabha.
CHORAO: The Chodan-Madel gram sabha on Sunday was adjourned after the panchayat secretary informed that the minutes of the last meeting was misplaced and not available.
When Panchayat Secretary Pandurang Pednekar tried to read the minutes of the last gram sabha, he missed many points that were discussed in the last gram sabha.
However, when villagers questioned him why the points were missed out, the secretary said the minute pages have been misplaced. The villagers got angry and demanded to adjourn the gram sabha. The villagers asked the sarpanch to declare the next date for gram sabha. The sarpanch later said the gram sabha will be held on June 9 at 10 am.
Assolna opposes Mopa airport
MARGAO: Assolna gram sabha members strongly supported the demand to retain Dabolim as Goa’s lone international airport, while demanding scraping of the proposed Mopa airport.
At the gram sabha held on Sunday chaired by Sarpanch Framila Almeila, the gram sabha members demanded the shifting of the Navy and retaining Dabolim as the only civilian airport. The issue of special status for Goa also was discussed and the members of gram sabha expressed that Goa be given special status as promised by the first Prime Minister to preserve its distinctive identity.
Migrants issue dominates Chinchinim
MARGAO: Issue of migrants residing in Chinchinim was raised by villagers at the gram sabha held on Sunday.
The villagers demanded that the panchayat body carry survey in village to identify migrants that are staying in village and also action be taken on illegal construction.
Further the villagers demanded action against those selling gutka and tobacco product in the village. The Sarpanch informed gram sabha that the panchayat had already taken measures and pasted notice at public place warning vendors as well as public against the use of gutka and tobacco products.
The gram sabha was also informed that the panchayat body had also issued two show cause notice in respect of the construction at Baida, Chichinim and that body shall take necessary action if the builder fails to act as per notice issued.
CM hailed for special status resolution
MARGAO: The Aquem-Baixo gram sabha on Sunday congratulated the Manohar Parrikar government for adopting a resolution seeking special status for Goa.
Members participating in the discussions underlined the need for special status for Goa to protect the state’s identity. Members, however, pointed out that the government should take immediate steps to restrict migrants from obtaining ration cards and other facilities in the state.
The meeting witnessed heated arguments when a group of gram sabha members demanded that the Panchayat should not use its funds to appoint a lawyer to fight disqualification case filed against the Sarpanch. At one stage, the situation threatened to go out of control and the police were called in as a precautionary measure.
Parking issue dominates Davorlim meet
MARGAO: The issue of parking of vehicles on the play ground was discussed at Rumdamol Davorlim gram sabha with decision taken to construct gates at the play ground to stop the parking.
Sarpanch Safiya Bi Abdul Riyaz Shaik who presided over the meeting informed that the panchayat had already made estimate for gates to be erected and that the work shall be tendered soon.
Uproar at Betalbatim over garbage
MARGAO: Heated discussion was witnessed over garbage problem at the Betalbatim gram sabha held on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by local MLA Micky Pacheco who is also a gram sabha member.
Franklin Fernandes raised the issued over the panchayat stopping the collection of garbage along the beach area when the hoteliers from the village had offered to contribute towards the collection. He also pointed that though he had been appointed chairman of the committee to overlook the cleaning of garbage along beach, he had been kept in dark and of panchayat body having failed to follow necessary procedure in allotting the tender for collection of the garbage.
After a lengthy debate wherein a number of gram sabha members participated including Isidorio Mendes and Marcus D’souza, the sarpanch agreed to call a meeting of all the hoteliers and discuss the issue of collection of garbage along the beach.
Yet another gram sabha member Blanche Cotta raised the issue over the demand of migrant survey by the panchayat body.
The sarpanch informed that the panchayat would be requesting every household renting room /place to migrant to sign leave and licence agreement and submit a copy of the same to the panchayat office. On persistent demand by the gram sabha members that the panchayat should go ahead with survey of migrants, the sarpanch agreed to start the same from June first week.
action sought against ex-Seraulim secy
MARGAO: Gram sabha questioned the sarpanch Leslie Dourado and demanded action against the former secretary Adwin Colaco for issuing a construction license sans conversion sanad for a housing project adjacent to Margao- Colva road in Per-Seraulim in contravention to the prevailing construction rules of the state.
It was pointed out that the work was going on in full swing at the site and the members requested the sarpanch to immediately issue show cause notice and also stop work orders on the builder.
Earlier, the Benaulim MLA Caetano D’Silva addressed the gram sabha at the request of the sarpanch and urged the members to work in the interest of the village and expressed his full support and co-operation in developing the village which he said appeared to be neglected for a long time.
The MLA was given a warm welcome by the members and thanked him for showing keen interest in the welfare of the village.
