Santa Cruz gram sabha was cut short on Sunday morning after Olavio Fernandes, 70, a former deputy director in the agriculture department, collapsed during the meeting and later died.
Eyewitnesses said Fernandes had just spoken against the panchayat’s proposal to hike house transfer tax. He returned to his seat and suddenly collapsed.
With no ambulance arriving for several minutes, locals rushed him in a private car to Goa Medical College (GMC), where doctors declared him 'brought dead'.
The incident left participants shocked and raised concerns about the delay in emergency response.
Panch member Domnic Pereira, who witnessed the collapse, said Fernandes had actively engaged in the discussion before the tragedy.
“He finished speaking and went to his seat, where he collapsed,” Pereira told The Goan.
Several of Fernandes’ former colleagues expressed grief over his sudden death. Former agriculture director Nevile Alphonso described him as a committed officer.
“He served agriculture and farmers not from his desk but from his heart,” Alphonso said, adding that even after retirement he served the cause of the farming community of St Cruz.
Fernandes was remembered for his dedication to farmers during his years in service. His passing has left the community mourning and has prompted calls for better medical preparedness to tackle such emergencies at official functions.
