the goan I network
MARGAO
Gram sabha members also took the panchayat body to task for its failure to get the beach access open for public despite the issue figuring at every gram sabha since the last five years. Sarpanch Viola da Costa, however, maintained that the panchayat had referred the proposal to open the beach accesses to the PWD for further action.
Gram sabha members questioned the chair how the panchayat can place the budget estimates for the meeting without first preparing the annual development plan. Member Irish Passainha pointed out that the panchayat has failed to prepare the annual development plan despite the fact that the gram sabha members did not allow the panchayat body to approve the budget last year on the same reason.
Irish later told the media that the members did not allow the panchayat body to approve the budget estimates on grounds that the body has failed to put the annual development plan in place.
The members also raised queries on the panchayat in action on the question of CRZ violations, with Irish pointing out the operation of a dockyard in violation of the prevailing rules.
Panchayat member and former sarpanch Edwin Barretto informed that the gram sabha has reiterated its opposition to the proposal to set up a minor port at Betul.
