MARGAO
High drama and commotion unfolded at the Davorlim gram sabha meeting over the NOC issued by the panchayat for the setting up of a petrol pump in the village.
During heated discussions with a gram sabha member Andrew Rebello on the issue, Sarpanch Herculean Niasso was seen trying to charge towards the members, only to be stopped by other panchas and gram sabha members.
One could see a group of persons, including panch members trying to stop the sarpanch from getting down from the dais towards the audience. Around the same time, heated exchanges took place between the ruling panch members and the opposition BJP, who were seen sitting in the audience.
The issue over the provisional NOC issued to the petrol pump took the centrestage after gram sabha member Andrew demanded to know the basis on which the panchayat had given the NOC. He later told the media that work on the site is underway without any documents, further demanding to know why no board has been displayed at the work site till date.
Andrew said he would request the higher authorities to intervene and stop the work on the petrol pump. He pointed out that five opposition panchayat members came down and sat in the audience shows they are also opposed to the functioning of the panchayat.
Sarpanch Herculean said the panchayat has only given a provisional NOC after imposing a host of conditions. He said the panchayat would ensure that the petrol pump owner complies with all the conditions before issuing the final NOC.
The issue of mobile tower at a school complex also came up for discussions. The sarpanch pointed out that some people do not want the tower at the location, but hastened to add there are many others who are in favour of the tower.
Saying the gram sabha has adopted the budget estimates, the sarpanch said the panchayat has allocated funds to the tune of Rs 20 lakh to set up the MRF shed.
