Asks sarpanchas, panchas to be prepared for meetings
TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Panchayat Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has bluntly refused a demand by sarpanchas and panchas to reduce the number of gram sabhas from four to two per year and has, instead, advised the panchayat members to be well prepared during the gram sabhas.
At a block level meeting organised by the Directorate of Panchayat, some panchayat members from Ponda taluka urged the minister to reduce the number of gram sabhas to two per year on grounds that villagers were frequently causing a ruckus during the gram sabha.
This is the 11th such meet organised by the Directorate of Panchayat in the State and it was attended by representatives from all 19 panchayats in Ponda taluka.
In a bid to support their demand, the members claimed that villagers corner panchayat members at gram sabhas, even when files pertaining to developmental works are held up in government offices.
The panchayat members claimed that the gram sabhas have turned into a battle ground, with villagers targeting elected members.
However, Parsekar turned down the demand saying, “I do feel pity for sarpanchas and panchas who are targeted for no reasons, but the best thing I would suggest is to be prepared to answer to the villagers.”
“Sorry, such a demand to reduce the number of gram sabhas cannot be accepted,” Parsekar told the members.
During the meeting, Parsekar assured that the long-pending demand to regularise illegal houses will be taken up shortly and in a phased manner. Panchas also claimed that panchayat works are being affected as panchayat secretaries are holding additional charge. Parsekar assured that 34 panchayat secretaries will be appointed by Diwali.
