Team Herald
MARGAO: Objecting to the absence of Colva panchas at the gram sabha, the locals resolved not to elect such members in future.
MLA Churchill Alemao, who was invited for the gram sabha, urged the people to elect good people so that the village can improve.
Of the nine panchas, only five including Sarpanch Menino Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch Blaizy Fernandes, former sarpanch Snowkan Gonsalves, Cajy Fernandes and Francisco Cardoso were present.
The agitating villagers questioned the absence of the panchas. But later panch Arnaldo Crasto arrived while the other three panchas Calvert Gonsalves, Natalina Fernandes and Blanca Fernandes remained absent.
The villagers were left agitated they were raising issues concerning their wards but the concerned panch was not present to listen to their grievances.
Initially, the gram sabha resolved that the Goa Panchayati Raj Act be amended to disqualify a panchayat member who fails to attend two consecutive gram sabhas as the act provides for disqualification of a member if he or she is absent for three consecutive panchayat body meetings.
Churchill said that it would be easier for him to work to improve the village if the panchayat co-operates with him.
