MAPUSA
A group of youth associated with the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) managed to create a flutter at the Assagao gram sabha, on Sunday, even as Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik slammed them for taking to social media and using derogatory language against panchayat members while highlighting issues in the village.
Locals raised the issue of blocking of a spring allegedly by a builder, potholes, roadside parking and endangering lives of people.
Referring to a video doing the rounds on social media, former sarpanch Pradeep Naik said those involved in creating the videos used abusive language against some members of the panchayat sub-committees and even the panchayat body.
Several villagers also objected to the unparliamentary words used while creating the videos while trying to focus on issues in the village.
“Highlighting an issue is good. But using abusive language was not right and a police complaint must be filed against those involved in the matter,” Naik said.
Acknowledging the videos, Assagao Sarpanch Hanumant Naik said certain people were out to tarnish the name of the village.
He said several videos, clips, photos etc were being circulated by the RG backed members without bringing it to the attention of the panchayat body.
“It is uncivilised behaviour to highlight issues on social media without the same being brought to the notice of the panchayat. Politics should not come in the way of development and such a political mileage is low standard mileage,” Naik said.
He ridiculed the youth for bringing a bad name to the village and wasting the time of the gram sabha. He said the youth should inform the panchayat about any public issue to redress their grievances.
He further warned such elements not to indulge in such acts in future or else he would be forced to take action against them.
The youth affiliated to the RGP who were present for the gram sabha admitted of creating the videos basically to highlight the lethargic attitude of the panchayat body in resolving issues.
The temple committee members and like-minded people raised the issue of blocking of a spring allegedly by a builder near the temple for the last one year with no action being taken in the matter.
The sarpanch informed that the matter was pending before the Director of Panchayats. Locals said the panchayat advocate should be asked to expedite the matter if not the encroachers would take advantage of the issue.
On PWD related works, the sarpanch informed that the department was sitting over the files with no positive response.
He said several works such as installing speed breakers, regular water supply, cutting of roadside bushes, clearing of drains etc have been constantly highlighted but no action was forthcoming from the PWD.
He said most of these works were being done through panchayat funds.
He asked people to be ready to join him in taking a delegation to the PWD.
He further said that the panchayat was in talks with the comunidade for several welfare projects.
