MAPUSA
Assuring residents of Calangute to reconvene the adjourned gram sabha, Bardez Block Development Officer said he would direct the secretary of Calangute panchayat to soon set another date for the gram sabha.
Around 20 residents of the coastal village handed a representation to Bardez BDO requesting him to reconvene the gram sabha which was adjourned on May 6.
The locals also brought to the attention of the BDO about the irregularities committed by the secretary while writing down the minutes of the gram sabha.
Former panch member Clotilda Braganza informed that the panchayat secretary failed to attend the Village Development Committee meetings although he was the member secretary of the committee.
She further said the panchayat had brought in some changes vis-Ã -vis collection of house tax without getting any direction from the authorities concerned and further added that it was done to harass villagers.
The villagers also demanded that proposals put forward to be discussed at the last gram sabha be considered and taken up at the next gram sabha.
The sarpanch has rejected the proposals of the villagers under section 10.
The BDO promised to look into the matter and seek a report from the secretary.
Meanwhile, former sarpanch Joseph Sequeira has written to the BDO stating that his proposals did not violate any section of Panchayati Raj Act and the same be taken up for discussion at the next gram sabha.
He also alleged the secretary was known to manipulate the minutes of the meeting by adding resolutions which were never discussed.
A local, Premanand Diukar, has urged that the panchayat should follow guidelines of administration as per the Panchayat Raj Act.
It may be recalled on May 6, villagers of Calangute demanded adjournment of the gram sabha, as the panchayat secretary was not present for the meeting.
After almost one-and-half hour, Sarpanch Anthony Menezes was forced to give in to the demands of the locals.
