TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Varca gram sabha meeting held under chairmanship of Sarpanch Charlton Lourenco on Sunday approved surplus budget for financial year 2014-15.
Members of gram sabha questioned the sarpanch whether local MLA Caitano Silva was invited to attend the gram sabha as was resolved at last gram sabha meeting to hear the grievances of the villagers. The villagers were informed that the MLA had informed in writing that he was not able to attend the gram sabha as he has to attend another meeting which had been fixed earlier and has promised to attend next gram sabha.
Before approving the audit report villager Elvis questioned why government grants of Rs 11.42 lakh received in respective year had not been utilized as well the golden jubilee fund. Sarpanch answered that the golden jubilee fund would be spent for construction of panchayat hall. Elvis also demanded that necessary action be taken to drop outstanding paras of previous audit from year 1997-98 till 2011-12 mentioned in audit report. Furnishing of surety by panchayat secretary, cases pending, depriving panchayat employees of provident fund were also discussed. Gram sabha members also raised voice that it was sad that no development works had been carried during year 2012-13 as per audit report which sarpanch attributed to be due to delay in BDO.
Villager Jose questioned the chair regarding boundary issue between village of Varca and Carmona which have been claiming over Zalor Island to which it was informed that the same was pending in court. Another villager Thomas pointed the need to repair the outlet of various ponds in the village which the sarpanch promised to act.
Other issues discussed was the need of electricity department to consult panchayat body before taking work of underground cabling, to clear the vegetation along road near Aula, rise in crimes, thefts in village, gas distribution problem, payment of electricity bill in Corporation Bank, Varca.
