Administrator issues notices, sets June 24 deadline to file objections
MARGAO
Comunidade bodies from South Goa zone which did not hold elections for the triennium 2025-2027 for lack of quorum now face the prospect of being declared as ‘Comunidade in Default’.
In fact, around 30 out of the 90 comunidade bodies from South Zone have received notices from the South Goa Administrator of Comunidade, Abhijeet Nikam why these bodies should not be declared as ‘Comunidade in Default’.
Once declared as Comunidade in Default, the Administration will then notify the names of the comunidades in the government gazette, paving the way for the government to take further action.
A glance at the notice issued by the South Goa Administrator of Comunidades revealed that 30 out of the total 90 comunidades in South Zone had failed to hold election because of no quorum.
Of the 30 comunidade bodies, 20 of these comunidades are located in Salcete, with six falling in Mormugao taluka and the remaining four in Sanguem, Quepem and Odar.
In the notices issued on the individual comunidade bodies, the Administrator Nikam has called upon the comunidade stakeholders to submit their say/ objection/ representation/ etc, if any, as to why the comunidades shall not be declared as ‘Comunidade in Default’, in writing to his office.
These comunidade bodies have been given time till June 24 to file their say, including objections and representations on the matter.
In fact, stakeholders who wish to be heard in person have been told to appear before the Administrator for a personal hearing on July 1, 2025 at 11.30 am onwards either in person or through a duly authorised pleader. Failure to submit objections within the stipulated period or to appear for the personal hearing before the undersigned shall result in the matter being decided in their absence, as deemed appropriate, the Administrator warned.
The Administrator has invoked Article 181-A, Clause (1), which states “Notwithstanding anything contained in this code, in the event a comunidade is unable to hold election of the members of managing committee within the time limit specified in Article 47 due to non-constitution and non-deliberation of the comunidade as per the provisions of Article 34, the Administrator shall after holding such inquiry as he deems fit declare such comunidade as ‘Comunidade in default’.
In accordance with Article 47 of the Code of Comunidade, election for the triennium 2025-2027 were scheduled for the comunidades falling within the jurisdiction of Administrator of Comunidade, South Zone, from 8/12/2024 to 19/01/2025.
However, proceedings of the election drawn from comunidades, which was duly recorded in presence of the Presiding Officer appointed by the district Collector, showed that elections could not be held to elect the new managing committee of the 30 bodies for lack of quorum.
Comunidade stakeholders keep fingers crossed over custodian appointment
MARGAO: Comunidade stakeholders keep their fingers crossed whether the government will appoint Mamlatdars/ Joint Mamlatdars as a custodian of the concerned comunidade after they are declared and notified as ‘Comunidade in Default’.
As per the Amendment to Article 181-A of the Code of Comunidade, upon issuance of the Order of the administrator under clause (1), and subject to decision of the Government under clause (4) in appeal, if any, the Government shall appoint an officer of the rank of Mamlatdar/ Jt Mamlatdar to be a custodian for the concerned comunidade for the respective triennium.
The custodian appointed under clause (5) shall exercise all powers and discharge all functions and duties of the managing committee of such comunidade under the Code.
Against any decision of the custodian appointed under clause (5), a component of such comunidade may prefer an appeal to the respective administrator as if such decision is of a managing committee and all the provisions as applicable to such appeals shall apply to appeals under this clause.
