MARGAO: Stoutly objecting to any proposal to have a bypass for the National Highway passing through their village, the Sarzora gram sabha appealed to the government to grant the panchayat more time to utilise the Golden Jubilee fund.
Meanwhile, the villagers demanded action against panchayat members for not attending gram sabha.
Pointing out that a 35-metre wide stretch is already acquired by the government for widening of the National Highway, the villagers said there was absolutely no need to acquire more land to construct a by-pass for the national highway.
The villagers pointed out that as it is they have sacrificed their land for the highway and there was no reason to destroy their houses now to make way for the unnecessary by pass which is proposed through the village.
Sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas while informing that the panchayat has not been informed about any plans to construct a bye pass through the village said the gram sabha members sentiments will be conveyed to the authorities.
The villagers unanimously resolved to appeal to the government to give back the Golden Jubilee fund that was refunded by the panchayat as it was not used for all these years. The Sarpanch informed the villagers that projects were prepared to utilize the Rs. 10 lakh fund given as golden jubilee fund that was not utilized by the previous bodies.
Pointing out that some panchayats have been given an extension in the time period within which the funds could be utilized Sarzora villagers also demanded that they be given an extension to use the fund to create an asset for the village.
Taking note of the absence of some panchayat members for gram sabhas continuously the villagers demanded that they be penalized for not respecting the gram sabha. The villagers demanded an amendment to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act to penalize panchas who do not attend gram sabha.
“Just as a panchayat member can be disqualified for being absent for three consecutive gram sabha so should a panchayat member be disqualified for not attending three gram sabha meetings,” the villagers demanded.
In fact the villagers did not allow the sarpanch to commence the gram sabha objecting to the continuous absence of two panchayat members and demanded an explanation from her to which Sabita pointed out that the law does not provide for any action against panchayat member for not attending gram sabha.
The villagers were informed that a day care centre for senior citizens under the Ummid scheme will be set up in the village in the panchayat premises itself and a meeting of the senior citizens would be convened shortly.
The villagers were asked to take advantage of this scheme as it was meant for the benefit of senior citizens who very often are alone at home as their children are working overseas or away from the house.
