Heated scenes at Penha de Franca over illegal construction

Team Herald

PORVORIM: The Penha de Franca gram sabha witnessed a heated discussion over an unauthorized construction in survey no 31/5 of the panchayat. 

The villagers sought to know what permission the panchayat had given for the construction being carried out by Margareth Fernandes. The acting sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar replied that the panchayat has issued permission to repair the house to the extent of Rs 50,000. The villagers then questioned how a bungalow costing nearly Rs 50 lakh had been constructed if only permissions for repairs were given.

They demanded that the panchayat and Block Development Officer (BDO) inspect the bungalow immediately and take action.

Members Gajendra Rataboli and Ganpath Sidhye later questioned whether the panchayat had convened a meeting of the Ward and Supervisory Committees to discuss development issues. When Chodankar replied in the negative, they demanded that the panchayat call the meeting immediately. They also informed that dengue cases were reported in wards 1, 2 and 3 and requested the panchayat to help prevent the spread of the dreaded disease.

Member Bhiku Sawant raised the issue of non-availability of the panchayat secretary and talathi. He said, “The secretary is available in the office three days of the week and the talathi on two days. It is an inconvenience to the public. The panchayat should request the Directorate of Panchayat to depute a full-time secretary and talathi.”

The villagers also complained that the minutes of the previous gram sabha, held on April 19, had not been recorded properly. Many suggestions and issues raised in that meeting had been left out. They demanded that the minutes of the meeting be recorded properly, failing which they will not approve it next time.