MAPUSA
Questions over transparency and accountability dominated the Assonora gram sabha, with residents alleging that the panchayat had failed to maintain proper documentary records of CSR donations received as well as Stock Register/Form 6 records for assets purchased using public funds.
Raising the issue, resident Sasha D’Souza questioned the absence of records showing the receipt, utilisation, allocation, balance or disposal of assets purchased by the panchayat.
She said the alleged lapses had also gone unnoticed during audits and called for greater accountability in the management of public assets.
D’Souza pointed out that RCC slabs worth Rs 3.95 lakh and streetlights worth Rs 2.47 lakh were purchased using public funds in August 2025, but alleged that even after a year there was no prescribed documentation showing their receipt, utilisation, balance or disposal.
She also questioned the panchayat over the absence of documentary evidence relating to CSR donations received either in cash or kind.
“There is a five-star resort in the village and a couple of mining companies operating in the village, but there is no record with the panchayat on CSR funds received. There has been a complete lack of transparency,” she said.
The gram sabha also witnessed unanimous opposition to the proposed installation of smart electricity meters and the controversial Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act.
Local resident Vinson Pinto moved a resolution opposing smart meters, saying the village would be better off continuing with the existing conventional meters. The resolution was unanimously accepted by the gram sabha and supported by the panchayat.
Sarpanch Mita Naik informed the gram sabha that the panchayat had written to the Electricity Department seeking clarity on the proposed smart meter installation and the department had replied back.
However, the resolution to oppose the meters was unanimously supported by the villagers.
Pinto also moved a resolution opposing Section 39A of the TCP Act, warning that the controversial provision could destroy not only Assonora but the entire State.
The gram sabha subsequently resolved to demand the repeal of the section.
The issue of labour charges was also raised, with resident Terence Fernandes alleging that labourers were charging exorbitant and arbitrary rates, with charges starting at around Rs 1,200 and increasing depending on the nature of work.
Fernandes called for standardisation of labour rates in the village.
The sarpanch said the panchayat would work towards fixing an accepted rate for different categories of skilled labourers and would erect boards displaying the rates.
D’Souza also raised concern over the absence of a functional 108 ambulance in Assonora, claiming that the village had been without the emergency service for nearly nine to 10 years.
She questioned why the panchayat had not made representations to the local MLA or the Directorate of Health Services during this period seeking restoration of the ambulance service.
