THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
In a major boost to the anti-IIT lobby at Loliem-Polem, the Director of Panchayats (DoP) has endorsed the resolutions adopted by over 540 villagers opposing the proposed IIT, shortly after the extra-ordinary Gram Sabha on November 27 was hastily adjourned by the sarpanch.
While holding that resolutions adopted by the Gram Sabha were valid, DoP Gurudas Pilarnekar has also blamed panchayat secretary Manjunath Gaonkar for abruptly leaving the Gram Sabha hall, cautioning him not to leave the gram sabha till it is finally concluded in future.
GARAM SABHA
Confusion had prevailed at the extra-ordinary Gram Sabha of Loliem-Polem on November 27, which was attended by about 1,500 people, with rival groups arguing for and against the proposed IIT project.
Claiming that it was impossible to ascertain the actual number and identity of residents of Loliem-Polem present at the Gram Sabha, Sarpanch Bhushan Prabhugaonkar abruptly adjourned the gram sabha. Both the sarpanch and panchayat secretary Manjunath Gaonkar were then escorted by police out of the venue.
Maintaining that the Gram Sabha was still in session, the anti-IIT lobby then appointed Panch Shailesh Pagi to chair the gram sabha. They then passed resolutions to reject the proposal to locate the proposed IIT-Goa permanent campus at Bhagwati Plateau in the village citing reasons.
The 544 signatures collected to support the resolutions included four panchas Santana Da Costa, Rajesh Naik and Caitani Dias, besides Shailesh Pagi who chaired the meeting.
DoP'S MEMO
In his memorandum on November 30 addressed to the panchayat secretary, the DoP reminded Gaonkar about rules regarding gram sabhas.
“The gram sabha shall be presided over by each sarpanch and attended by the panchayat member concerned. In the absence of sarpanch, deputy sarpanch and ward member, the meeting may be presided by any member chosen by the gram sabha,” stated Pilarnekar.
Turning his attention to the Loliem Gram Sabha on November 27, Pilarnekar said Loliem Panch Sahilesh Pagi, had brought to his notice that “the sarpanch and panchayat secretary abruptly left the gram sabha hall without giving reasons, leaving the gram sabha members stunned in disbelief.”
“Thereafter, the gram sabha members choose Shailesh Pagi to preside over the gram sabha and the gram sabha was continued.”
“Therefore, resolutions adopted by the gram sabha are valid as per sub-section (3) of Section 5 of The Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994,” stated the DoP memorandum.
Disapproving of the panchayat secretary's decision to abruptly leave the venue, Pilarnekar bluntly told Gaonkar, “You are further cautioned not to leave the gram sabha hereafter till it is finally concluded.”
Copies of the memorandum have been forwarded to the Canacona BDO and Loliem Panch Shailesh Pagi.
