PANAJI/MAPUSA
The Directorate of Panchayats (DoP) has directed several panchayats across the State to convene gram sabhas, after they were found to have skipped gram sabhas in the last two years.
After almost seven months of no show, the Block Development Officer has directed all the 33 village panchayats in Bardez to hold the mandatory gram sabhas in their respective panchayats.
As per the provision of section 5 (1) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, it is mandatory for every village panchayat to hold the meetings of ordinary gram sabha on any Sunday of January, April, July and October of every year.
Although several panchayats conducted their gram sabhas in January this year, no such meetings were held in April and July due to the Covid-19 related restrictions.
Surprisingly, no gram sabhas were conducted in October too.
“It has been noticed that the sarpanchas have not conducted meetings of gram sabha of their respective village panchayats on any of the Sundays of October,” said BDO Shivprasad Naik and directed them to hold the gram sabhas in November.
The BDO has prepared a timeline requesting the panchayats to conduct the gram sabhas on allotted day and time.
The panchayats of Aldona, Assagao, Calangute, Candolim, Colvale, Moira, Nerul, Penha De Franca, Pomburpa, Sangolda, Sirsaim and Ucassaim have been directed to hold gram sabhas on Nov 14 at 10 am.
Similarly, the panchayats of Anjuna, Assonora, Guirim, Nachinola, Oxel, Pilerne-Marra, Reis Magos, Saligao, Siolim-Marna, Socorro, Verla-Canca, Revora and Pirna have to hold their gram sabhas on Nov 21.
The panchayats of Arpora-Nagoa, Bastora, Camurlim, Nadora, Parra, Salvador-Do-Mundo, Siolim-Sodiem and Tivim have to conduct the gram sabha meetings on Nov 28.
The panchayat secretaries have been directed to comply with all procedures as required under the rules to hold the gram sabha meeting.
“A copy of the notice of gram sabha meeting should be submitted to the BDO office in advance to facilitate the appointment of observers for the meetings,” Naik said.
Further, all the members and the officials are requested to follow the guidelines issued by the MHA regarding Covid-19.
Everyone is directed to maintain social distancing and use masks.
The village panchayat secretary has been asked to make provision of hand sanitizer and thermal scanning at the office premises.
