Kudne villagers fume as sarpanch, deputy fail to attend gram sabha
THE GOAN NETWORK
BICHOLIM
Annoyed over the absence of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch for the gram sabha on Sunday, the irate villagers of Kudne-Bicholim compelled the panchayat authorities to postpone the meet to December 11.
The members also demanded to dissolve the panchayat and threatened that they will not allow the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch to enter the panchayat office in future.
A large number of residents were present for the gram sabha, but only three panchas from the seven, Rajan Falkar, Suresh Kamat and Mangaldas Naik attended the meeting. Sarpanch Poonam Pethkar and Deputy Sarpanch Prashant Parab failed to turn up due to which the gram sabha which was supposed to start at 10 am was adjourned to noon.
However, as even after noon the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch did not turn up. This led to chaotic scenes and exchange of words by the villagers against sarpanch and deputy sarpanch for not attending the meeting.
A villager, Subhash Malik said people attend gram sabha to get solution to their queries, but the panchayat is not bothered and the issues remain unsolved.
“A section of farmers had attended the gram sabha on Sunday to raise different problems faced by them with regards to development in farming sector, however, the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch failed to attend the meeting,” said Malik.
Former sarpanch Mangesh Malik said the previous panchayat was instrumental in solving the issues of the people, but the present panchayat has totally failed to solve public issues.
Another villager, Deepa Betkikar said resolution regarding merging Ward 1 and 2 into one ward was supposed to be passed at the gram sabha, but it could not be passed due to the absence of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch.
Panch Rajan Falkar alleged that the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch are not co-operating, due to which many files are pending. “The panchayat should be dissolved,” he demanded.
Panch Suresh Kamat said, “There has not been a single development work by Sarpanch Pethkar and Deputy Sarpanch Parab after they took over.”
Subhash Malik, Naresh Jalmi and Mangesh Malik said they won’t allow the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch to enter the panchayat office in future, as they have failed to attend the gram sabha.
