CANACONA
Forest-related issues are expected to to come up for discussion in at the gram sabha of the Khotigao panchayat on Sunday. The controversial issue of the proposed forest check post in Ward 6 is also likely to take centre stage at the gram sabha. Sources informed that Khotigao Panchayat has also specially invited Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar to attend the gram sabha. Some Khotigao residents have cautioned the panchayat of consequences if they are not permitted to speak at the gram sabha. “We know that the Sarpanch, as chairman of the gram sabha, has the right to call elected representatives to the meeting, but if we are prevented from speaking in any way or if the sarpanch tries to bypass our issues by obstructing us in any way, the residents of Khotigao are capable of taking appropriate action,” said Kalpesh Gaonkar of Khotigao, who is leading the agitation against the proposed check post.
