the goan I network
MARGAO
The Colva panchayat is apparently racing ahead of other panchayat bodies to create a record of sorts. Not that the panchayat is hit by any political instability as may think, but the Colva panchayat has on Thursday earned the distinction of having its 10th panchayat secretary in the last two years and three months.
While incumbent Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes is firmly in the saddle since his election in 2017, the panchayat administration has been hit once again, with the transfer of panchayat secretary Sharda Velguekar and the return of Amol Tilve to head the panchayat administration.
This is not the first time that Tilve has assumed office of panchayat secretary of Colva panchayat. He was the secretary for close to four months, between December 2, 2017 and April 29, 2018 before he was unceremoniously shunted out of office.
News of Sharda’s transfer came as a surprise for the Colva Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes, who could not figure out reports that Tilve has assumed office in place of Sharda. The sarpanch cried foul over the frequent transfers of panchayat secretaries, saying the transfers have adversely affected the panchayat administration. In a lighter vein, the sarpanch said the Colva panchayat has not witnessed much political instability, adding that administrative instability has literally been the order of the day during the tenure so far. “Frequent transfer of secretaries affected the administration. It affects the people, though those who are behind the transfers may gain,” he said.
Colva-based social activist Judith Almeida slammed the panchayat authorities for the constant shuffling of panchayat secretaries of the Colva panchayat. ‘This is totally unacceptable. How can a panchayat body have 10 secretaries in just two years and three months,” she questioned, while demanding to know how many more secretaries are awaiting their posting at the Colva panchayat.
Information revealed that of the 10 panchayat secretaries that presided over the affairs of Colva panchayat, Sandhya Shirodkar holds the distinction of having occupied the position thrice during this current term. Her return to office on the last occasion was marked by protests from the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, before she was shunted out again for reasons known to the powers that be.
Closely following Sandhya Shirodkar was panchayat secretary Paresh Rane, who occupied the hot seat twice before being shunted out of office. And, Amol Tilve has returned back to Colva after a year and half break and has equalled Rane’s record as a panchayat secretary who has twice held the reigns of office.
