MARGAO
At the meeting chaired by Sarpanch Frank Fernandes, gram sabha member Cruz Rodrigues said that the absence of DoT officials and private mobile service providers shows that they take gram sabha members for granted.
Panchayat Secretary Mario Viegas informed the gram sabha that the DoT officials were presently holed up at the Varca Gram sabha and will come to Navelim after the Varca meeting.
Another gram sabha member Anthony Alvares said that earlier Reliance company dug the roads, laid their cables without panchayat permission.
“How can Airtel and other service providers apply for permission under the pretext of BRICS? he questioned and requested the chair to direct the company concerned to move its application to the gram sabha with relevant documents before taking any decision.
Since the DoT officials did not turn up for the gram sabha, the members were furious and requested the Goa State Pollution Control Board official present to address the members.
The GSPCB representatives, however, maintained that they have not come with any presentation, but have made their presence at the request of the Director of Panchayats.
Before the sarpanch adjourned the gram sabha, member Eleuterio Carneiro said that there should be enough time for the members to go through the documents submitted by the applicants before fixing the next gram sabha.
