MARGAO
The budget estimates for the current financial year dominated the gram sabha of Benaulim which was later adjourned for October 24.
While the gram sabha members tried to pick holes in the budget estimates, questioning the deficit budget, presiding authority, deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Prabhudesai justified the budget proposals, saying the panchayat has proposed to utilize funds for the development works.
In fact, confusion prevailed over the passing of the budget estimates, with members led by Rudolf Barretto claiming that the budget has been opposed by the gram sabha with a plea to the Panchayat to rectify the anomalies and bring back the estimates at the meeting.
Prabhudesai, who chaired the meeting in the absence of the Sarpanch Vencila Fernandes, said the budget was passed by majority of the members. He conceded there was opposition to the budget from some quarters, but majority of the members supported the budget estimates. “Around 96 members attended the gram sabha, out of which 25-30 members voiced their opposition to the budget. This goes to show that the majority of the members have given approval to the budget”, he added.
While gram sabha member Rudolf Barretto questioned the budget estimates with a huge deficit, Prabhudesai said the panchayat needs funds to take up developmental projects in the village.
He told the media that the panchayat is taking up the project of wet waste collection in the village, adding that panchayat funds are required to be utilized to procure bins as well as mini-vehicles for the transportation of the waste.
Gram sabha member Royla Fernandes assailed the compilation of the minutes and the resolutions adopted at the last gram sabha. He said authorities will laugh at the panchayat if the resolutions for the proposals are sent to the departments.
No development proposals were taken up.
