Team Herald
MARGAO: Sao Jose de Areal villagers prevailed upon the panchayat to call for another gram sabha to discuss the letter written by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to all the sarpanchas with regards to rainwater harvesting as they pointed out that they were not given sufficient time to even read the letter.
The letter was apparently received by the panchayat on June 19 and the villagers were informed about it only through the Church announcement on June 30 that the matter would be discussed at the gram sabha scheduled on July 1.
The villagers led by Freddy Travasso sought to know why the villagers were given 24-hour notice on the matter. Unable to answer the questions, Sarpanch Vinny Mascarenhas left the meeting hall claiming that he had rush to Panjim and was getting late.
Deputy Sarpanch Antonia Oliveira, who took over the gram sabha, finally assured villagers that at the body meeting to be held on July 4, she would place their demand and accordingly it will be decided when to hold a fresh gram sabha to discuss the Prime Minister’s letter.
