Sarpanch says meet will be held on Nov 29
Aldona VP fails to convent gram sabha in 4 months
Sarpanch says meet will be held on Nov 29
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
In a clear affront to the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, the Aldona Panchayat and the block development officer have failed to convene a gram sabha in Aldona in the last four months.
According to the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, an ordinary gram sabha has to be convened after every three months.
The last gram sabha in Aldona panchayat was convened on July 26, which was adjourned and later fixed for August 16. But, the panchayat failed to keep its word and the gram sabha was never held on that day.
As per the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, it is mandatory for the BDO to convene a gram sabha when the panchayat fails to do so within the stipulated time.
But in this case, the BDO too appears to have failed in his duty to convene the meeting.
“The last gram sabha on July 26, had to be adjourned because the sarpanch had failed to provide detailed accounts of the expenses carried out by the panchayat. The panchayat also failed to submit the audit report,” said Oldrin Pereira, an activist and a regular gram sabha member.
He said the panchayat appears to be shying away from subjecting its activities to public scrutiny.
Sources in the BDO disclosed that a request has been received from Aldona Panchayat to convene a gram sabha on November 29.
Aldona Sarpanch Sandra Rodrigues attributed the delay to the recent civic elections in the State.
“The secretary was on election duty and therefore could not convene the gram sabha. We could not hold the gram sabha on August 16, as the hall was not available then,” said Rodrigues.
“But the gram sabha will now be held on November 29,” she added quickly.
Krishnakant Pangam, BDO-I in-charge of Aldona Panchayat was not available for comments, as he was on leave.
