MARGAO: Tensions were running high at the Benaulim Village Panchayat over the panchayat’s decision to terminate the services of two panchayat staff members.
While the two staff members alleged that they have been treated unfairly, they were backed by former Benaulim deputy sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai, who accused the sarpanch of taking decisions that were not in accordance with the Panchayati Raj Act.
Speaking to the media persons on Friday, Sarpanch Vencillia Fernandes defended the decision and said that it was taken by the local body and not her alone.
She listed out complaints against the staff such as attendance issues. However, the two staff have asked for evidence to back the sarpanch’s claims in writing and they have said that proper procedure should have been followed and that they should have been given the opportunity to respond to the alleged charges against them.
The panchayat body was also criticised as to why such a decision was taken at the end of its tenure and to start the process of hiring new staff as well.
Incidentally, the panchayat body had a special meeting on Friday where the issue of the two staff being terminated was discussed. After the meeting, the sarpanch denied allegations that she had deliberately disconnected the CCTV surveillance while the former deputy sarpanch alleged that the CCTV had been disconnected to hide the misdeeds of the sarpanch.
