MARGAO
The Aquem Baixo gram sabha held on Sunday witnessed an uproar over a pathological laboratory operating from the residential building in the village.
A large number of villagers attended the gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Floriano Danny Fernandes, demanding the revocation of the NOC issued for the pathological lab. They also demanded that the Panchayat lodge complaints against the former and current Panchayat secretaries, who had issued the NOC for the lab, with the Vigilance for a probe.
The residents demanded to know how come a pathological laboratory can be set up in a residential premises, fearing that the lab will not only pose a health hazard to the residents, but cause nuisance in the locality.
The Sarpanch explained that the provisional NOC was issued to the lab by a former Panchayat Secretary, adding that the current secretary has issued the NOC based on an order issued by the Salcete Block Development Officer.
The agitated gram sabha members demanded the immediate revocation of the NOC and shutting down of the pathological lab in a residential locality. They demanded action against the lab based on a recent inspection conducted by the Panchayat.
The Sarpanch later told the media that the Panchayat will discuss the matter at the upcoming Panchayat meeting and take a decision keeping in mind the sentiments of the gram sabha members.
