PANJIM: Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo on Monday alleged that some ruling party functionaries were trying to change to the delimitation of village panchayat wards done by the State Election Commission (SEC).
He also opposed any move to hold panchayat elections on party lines.
Speaking to media persons, Lobo said that the SEC had completed the exercise of redrawing of panchayat wards and had sent it to the State government. However, some ruling party functionaries were desperately trying to make last-minute changes in the delimitation of wards as per their convenience.
He said that he will meet Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday and demand that nobody be allowed to change the redrawing of panchayat wards done by the SEC.
Lobo recalled how the Supreme Court had pulled up the State government for making last minute changes in wards during the municipal elections last year and warned that if need arises, he will approach the High Court against the government’s interference in the process of delimitation of panchayat wards.
Lobo charged that the ruling BJP is trying to divide people at the grassroots level by contemplating to hold panchayat elections on party lines. He demanded that the panchayat elections must be held independently.
“The village panchayats are functioning independently and attempts have been made for political interference for a long time. We strongly oppose this and will never allow this to happen,” he said.
The Opposition further demanded that the government should immediately release the doles to beneficiaries of Dayanand Social Security scheme which is pending for the last three months. He also said that applicants of the Laadli Laxmi Scheme were yet to receive their monies, which was sanctioned four years ago.
According to Lobo, there are few applicants of Laadli Laxmi scheme who had applied in 2018. “These girls are married, had first child and conceived again. But till date they have not received their money,” Lobo added.
