the goan I network
MARGAO
The election for the vacant post of sarpanch of Carmona village panchayat on Friday ended in a fiasco for want of panchayat members.
A bare minimum three members were required to elect a new sarpanch to head the 7-member panchayat as the effective strength of the body stands reduced to four, with two members no more members of the panchayat and the third member proceeding on long leave.
As things turned out, former sarpanch and NCP Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao’s close aide Sandra Fernandes was the lone member to turn up for the meeting, with the remaining three members playing truant. Deputy Sarpanch Vailona Fernandes, outgoing sarpanch Savita Mascarenhas and former sarpanch Winston Dias were conspicuous by their absence.
The Presiding Officer, drafted by the Salcete BDO Officer, Angelico Gracias waited for the members to turn up and file their nomination papers, but in vain. As Sandra was the lone member, who made up for the meeting, and no sign of the remaining members, the election was called off.
Panchayat Secretary Mario Viegas informed that a detailed report will be submitted to the Director of Panchayats, who had convened today’s meeting to elect a new sarpanch, which was necessitated following the resignation by outgoing sarpanch Savita Mascarenhas.
When The Goan contacted Sandra to throw light on the fiasco, she only said that she had expected the remaining three members to turn up for the election. What’s more, she said the members did not discuss the issue of election of the new sarpanch.
Given the peculiar situation, deputy sarpanch Vailona will continue to preside as the panchayat head as an acting sarpanch till the vacant post of sarpanch is filled up by the Panchayat director.
As things stand today, the Carmona panchayat’s effective strength is reduced to four members, following the death of a member Josinho Mendes and resignation by another member Benicio Carvalho. Panchayat member Allwyn George is presently on leave and is expected to resume duties only in the month of October.
