Chicalim panchas lodge plaint against secretary

Chicalim Panchayat members comprising sarpanch Seby Pereira, deputy sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav, Panchas -- Marie Mascarenhas, Yuvraj Tari, Robert Falcao and Sanifa D’Costa have also demanded strict action against the panchayat secretary.

Speaking to reporters, Pereira said the incident took place as discussions on pre-monsoon were going on in his cabin.

"Some files which had been tendered have been passed from BDO, and we only have to issue work orders. Panchas constantly question me why the work order has not been issued and hence, we called the secretary along with panchas for a joint discussion," said Pereira.

"When we asked him as to why he was not giving us a go-ahead, he started to back-answer us. One female panch then questioned him and he got wild and told her to shut up and sit down, began hurling abuses at her and the panch began crying.”

“We did not like this behaviour of the secretary and we told him that he cannot use such language against a female panch. The secretary has been harassing panchas and he must realise that these pre-monsoon works are for the people. These works cannot be delayed as we will not be able to take up these works in case the code of conduct is enforced for the panchayat elections," said Pereira.

Panch Sanifa D’Costa said they would request Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho to intervene in the issue and initiate action against the secretary.

“We will also write to the BDO and the Directorate of Panchayats as well," said D’Costa.

Deputy Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav said the secretary had joined barely 15 days ago and had crossed the limit on Friday.

Panch member Robert Falcao said many of his files for works, which have already been passed, have been kept pending.

“The secretary says he will hold an inspection and sometimes, he unofficially goes for an inspection for reasons best known to him,” said Falcao.