The Gaondongrim gram sabha which took place in the panchayat hall on Sunday. Kathy Fernandes
While Gaondongrem convened its gram sabha on Sunday, five panchayats opted to defer their meetings after Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar reportedly expressed his desire to attend these meetings.
Residents raised various issues at the Gaondongrem gram sabha which was chaired by newly elected Sarpanch Yeshwant (Dhilon) Dessai, while one panchayat claimed it did not receive on time the BDO’s letter directing the panchayats to convene their gram sahbas and plans to convene the gram sabha in the next 15 days.
According to sources, Tawadkar has shown interest to attend the gram sabhas at Agonda, Shrishthal, Poinguinim, Khotigao and Loliem-Polem, where he has his panels in control.
Accordingly, the four panchayats of Agonda and Khotigao have planned their gram sabha for September 18, while Poinguinim and Shrishthal have planned their gram sabha on September 25.
The Loliem-Polem panchayat is yet to announce its gram sabha, as sources said the newly elected panch members were unwilling to hold the first gram sabha this month and are reportedly trying to hold it in October, just before Diwali.
It may be recalled that the Canacona BDO had directed all newly elected Sarpanchas to convene the Gram Sabha on September 11. The agenda was to read and confirm the minutes of the last gram sabha and to take up proposals/issues by members of public.
At Gaondongrem, Sarpanch Dhillon Dessai chaired the gram sabha in the presence of Panchayat Secretary Govind Velip, a BDO representative and all newly elected panch members.
