MARGAO
Unprecedented development unfolded at the gram sabha of the Assolna panchayat on Sunday after members found both the sarpanch Ivan Fernandes and deputy Sarpanch Chaya Arolkar conspicuous by their absence.
What further agitated the gram sabha members was that they were told that both the sarpanch and the deputy have proceeded on leave and hence have remained absent.
Members including former panchayat member Savio Ferreira termed the absence of the sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch as a mockery of the Panchayati raj system, wondering how come the duo have proceeded on leave and how the Panchayat authorities such as the BDO have allowed the duo to proceed on leave before the gram sabha meeting.
Some of the members pointed out that they have been told that the BDO has appointed an Administrator for the Assolna Panchayat after the duo proceeded on leave.
Members pointed out that sarpanch Ivan proceeded on leave after convening the gram sabha meeting. The deputy followed suit by citing medical reasons for going on leave.
Members pointed out that the meeting was scheduled to discuss contentious issues such as house numbers allotted by the panchayat, sopo collection et al.
Convenor of Assolna Bio-diversity Management Committee Fredrick Borges informed that the gram sabha was scheduled to discuss issues relating to biodiversity including the village lakes and ponds.
“Monsoon is fast approaching and the gram sabha was scheduled to take decisions on the village ponds and lakes,” he said.
Meanwhile, gram sabha member Savio Ferreira told the media that the members have now demanded to hold the gram sabha positively on June 25.
