No information furnished to Navelim villagers
At Navelim gram sabha the panchayat was taken to task for not maintaining proper records and not furnishing information to the villagers. That the panchayat is not maintaining records was exposed when the villagers were discussing the Western Bypass passing through their village. The panchayat claimed that they never received any plan of the Western Bypass while the villagers asserted that the plan was given at a meeting convened by then MLA Avertano Furtado. Avertano’s brother Schubert who was earlier the sarpanch of the village then gave the date on which the plan was given along with other details like where the plan was submitted and what the plan proposed.
Even though Goa is a highly literate state it is surprising to note that people are not willing to put down things in writing and prefer to only state their version verbally. For example at the gram sabha people’s suggestions and recommendations are to be taken up for discussion. However, at most panchayats very few people give things in writing and most prefer to raise it up during the any other business even though the Director of Panchayats has very clearly stated that any other business cannot be on the agenda. However, to circumvent this direction what the sarpanchas do is allow the villagers to speak and ventilate their grievances but none of the things discussed are recorded in the minutes.
Gram sabhas postponed due to Covid-19
The increase in Covid cases and subsequent imposition of Section 144 has once again affected the gram sabhas that were scheduled after nearly one year. Villagers of Sao Jose de Areal compelled the sarpanch to postpone the gram sabha scheduled on March 28 as their suggestions and issues would not be discussed while Curtorim ended their gram sabha immediately after approving the budget. Incidentally the last gram sabha in Sao Jose de Areal was in November 2019.
Members avoid GS, waiting for amendment
The much promised amendment to the Goa Panchayat Raj is just remaining a promise with nothing tangible really happening due to which there are some uproarious scenes witnessed at the gram sabhas. The Goa Panchayat Raj does not make it mandatory for the panchayat member to be present for the gram sabha and using this many panchayat members do not attend the gram sabhas. Villagers do question the absence but the sarpanch explains the law and points out that nothing can be done. The latest case was Sarzora where the only two male panchayat members were not present for the gram sabha and as villagers did not allow the gram sabha to commence; one panchayat member who was earlier the sarpanch of the village came half an hour late and the gram sabha then commenced.
