OLD GOA
Siridao opposition panchas have threatened to approach the High Court after their matter was dismissed by the Director of Panchayats (DoP) on Wednesday.
The panchas, including ousted deputy sarpanch Melanie D’Souza, had approached the DoP challenging the no-confidence motion passed against the deputy on October 5, in which D’Souza was ousted by 4-0 votes.
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, counsel for the petitioners, Elvis Gomes, stated that the deputy sarpanch was unceremoniously ousted within 40 days, with reasons being given that she was not taking members into confidence and that she misused her powers.
“How is this possible and that too in 40 days?” Gomes questioned while stating that the motion was taken up before 11 am.
“Also, minutes were written in advance of which we presented evidence,” Gomes said while adding that even after that, the DoP dismissed the matter.
“It is a sad day for grass roots democracy and we will take the issue in the HC,” Gomes informed and opined that the case is not limited only to Siridao but all panchayats in Goa.
Panch Antonio Afonso said D’Souza was not given three working days when the notice of no-confidence motion was served.
“The notice was served on October 1, while October 2 was Gandhi Jayanti, October 3 was a Sunday and October 4 was the only working day we got, before the motion was taken up on October 5,” Afonso said.
“When we approached the Addl Director of Panchayats on the issue, he refused to take up the issue and told us to approach the DoP, who in turn sent us back to the Addl Director. And we were made to dance between the two. That is when we approached the HC, which issued directions to the DoP to take up the matter within 15 days,” he informed.
“But the director simply dismissed the matter,” Afonso said and added that they will challenge the decision in the HC.
The director of panchayats did not respond to calls by The Goan for comments in the matter.
