MARGAO: Not a single gram sabha is scheduled on May 19 even though 19 villages in Salcete are yet to hold the gram sabha as mandated in April. The next gram sabha will be held in July.
Given the fact that villagers are objecting to having gram sabha where developmental works cannot be discussed due to the code of conduct that is in force, no panchayat is holding any gram sabha on May 19, disclosed Extension Officer at the BDO office Angelico Gracias.
It is pertinent to note that the villagers of Betalbatim, Dramapur Sirlim and Chinchinim Deussua prevailed upon the panchayat to adjourn the gram sabhas primarily because they could not discuss developmental works although at Chinchinim there were other reasons too.
This means that the 19 panchayats have only six weeks to conduct their gram sabhas before it is time to conduct the third gram sabha in July as mandated by the Panchayati Raj Act.
