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THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA: The sarpanchas of Loliem-Polem and Agonda submitted their resignations to the Director of Panchayats (DoP) following an understanding with the ruling groups at both panchayats.
Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Ajit (Ajay) Lolienkar, who had made his decision known at the last gram sabha, submitted his resignation to the Director of Panchayats on June 17, stating his resignation may be considered from June 19 and due to personal difficulties he would not be in a position to attend to panchayat duties thereafter.
Lolienkar had effectively served as Loliem-Polem sarpanch for two years, implementing and executing several projects in the village.
He has stepped down to make way for panch Shailesh Pagui, who will occupy the post for a one-year term, before handing over the baton to next designated panch, informed a Loliem-Polem panchayat source.
In his farewell speech during revolution day celebrations in the panchayat, Lolienkar thanked Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes for his support and cooperation in getting several works executed. All nine panchas, including two opposition panchas, assembled to bid farewell and show their solidarity with the outgoing sarpanch.
Agonda Sarpanch Pramod Phaldessai also submitted his resignation after the ruling panel agreed to rotate the post of Sarpanch.
Sources said Phaldessai submitted his resignation to the DoP on Tuesday after the ruling panel met congress Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes and agreed on a formula for the remaining 3-year term of the Agonda panchayat.
Sources added that Dy Sarpanch Abel Borges is tipped to take over as the next sarpanch of Agonda.
According to reports, the ruling panchas of Agonda were reportedly unhappy over the handling of the tourism structures along the CRZ for the past two years.
Most local tourism stakeholders had blamed the sarpanch for not doing anything to safeguard their interests and even accused the sarpanch of having disowned them before authorities such as GCZMA and tourism, although the panchayat had collected fees from them.
Some panchas had been demanding a change in guard and accordingly, the leadership issue was resolved in consultation with Canacona MLA Fernandes.
Interestingly, Agonda and Loliem-Polem panchayats are among the four panchayats, where Congress-backed panels affiliated to the Canacona MLA had taken charge two years ago.
