OLD GOA
Citing various violations in the meeting conducted to decide on the no-confidence motion against Siridao Sarpanch Jagdish Gauns, Additional Director of Panchayats Umakant Korkankar justified that he had to take the decision to uphold the law.
Speaking to The Goan, Korkankar pointed out that under Rule 6 of the Goa Panchayat Meeting Rules, if the sarpanch is not there for the meeting, then the deputy sarpanch has to be the presiding officer. “But at the no-confidence motion, the meeting was presided over by one of the panchas despite the deputy sarpanch being present,” Korkankar added.
When questioned by The Goan that panch Antonio Afonso had pointed out that he was allowed to preside over the meeting by the deputy sarpanch, Korkankar said it was not allowed when the deputy sarpanch is present.
“Only in the absence of the sarpanch as well as the deputy sarpanch, the panchas can decide on who will be the presiding officer. If the sarpanch or deputy sarpanch is present, then a panch cannot preside,” he added.
“Everything about the meeting was illegal. I don’t know how it happened and the big joke is that the panchayat secretary has signed the resolution,” Korkankar said.
“Also, there was an observer appointed by the BDO and he has not signed the minutes of the proceedings, which means that the meeting was conducted in absence of the observer,” Korkankar pointed out.
“If the resolution was maintained, there would have been a problem due to which an ex-parte order suspending the resolution had to be issued,” Korkankar justified and said that the matter will now be heard by the secretary (panchayats), Govt of Goa, who will hear both the parties. “My order is only interim order and not a final one. The final order will be issued by secretary (panchayats) where both the parties will get an opportunity to present their points of views,” he concluded.
