OLD GOA
The Merces Gram Sabha saw a prolonged discussion over the grant of ex parte stay for an alleged unauthorized structure, with the villagers demanding that the panchayat challenge the stay at the next hearing and get it vacated.
The issue cropped up when the minutes of the previous Gram Sabha were being read and the villagers questioned about action taken by the panchayat on its demolition order.
Sarpanch Assis Fernandes however said that when the panchayat had gone for re-inspection of the structure they were shown a stay granted.
“We were not intimated on the same,” Fernandes said and informed that the next hearing is slated in February.
However, the villagers said that the panchayat should challenge the stay and get it vacated.
“The party concerned does not have any documents or approvals,” the villagers opined while questioning on what basis the stay was granted.
The villagers further informed that the work is still going on despite one of the condition of the stay being maintenance of status quo.
“The panchayat should give evidence to the court and get the stay vacated,” the villagers said.
The issue of roads being dug for underground powe cabling and its repairs not properly done also figured with the villagers demanding that the repairs should be done properly.
“The dug portion is repaired haphazardly which has caused inconvenience to the road users with some meeting with minor accidents. Don’t wait till a major accident occurs,” the villagers appealed.
The villagers also raised the issue of moveable carts being converted into fixed carts near the Merces junction road. The villagers said that they cannot be allowed to keep the carts fixed. “They have to move around the village,” a local said.
However, the Sarpanch said that all the kiosk owners are Merces locals. But the locals said that it should not mean that they be allowed to violate terms of moveable carts and demanded that inspection of the kiosks be done and the kiosks removed from the area.
The issue of vehicles parking on the roads was also discussed with the locals demanding action against the same.
