MARGAO
The Raia village panchayat on Sunday witnessed an uproar over the budget estimates as members picked holes in the proposal, forcing the sarpanch to adjourn the gram sabha for next Sunday.
The gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Judas Quadros was scheduled to discuss the budget estimated at the meeting held on Sunday as was discussed at the ordinary gram sabha.
When the sarpanch tabled the budget estimates, members took offence to the budget estimates, pointing out that the budget estimates tabled at today’s meeting were different from the estimates tabled at the ordinary gram sabha.
Members, including former sarpanch and panch member Xavier Fernandes contended that the sarpanch cannot change the budget estimates and table the same at the gram sabha without the nod of the panchayat body.
Xavier claimed that the budget estimates for the 2023-24 financial year was not discussed at the panchayat body meeting before being brought before the gram sabha for discussions.
He further claimed that glaring discrepancies have come to light in the figures in the previous budget estimates and the latest estimates brought before the gram sabha. When there are discrepancies and differences amounting to lakhs of rupees, the panchayat ought to have to done the homework well before bringing the estimates at the gram sabha.
Cornered over the matter, Sarpanch Judas sough to pacify the members by saying the field is open for the members to effect necessary corrections. Members, however, insisted that the panchayat make the necessary changes before bringing the budget estimates before the gram sabha.
Xavier later told the media that the budget estimates should first go to the panchayat body meeting before the proposal is placed before the gram sabha.
Another gram sabha member Anthony Barbosa pointed out how discrepancies have surfaced in the budget estimates tabled at the last gram sabha and today’s gram sabha. He said since the panchayat secretary is required to prepare the estimates in coordination with the panchayat members, the authorities should institute an inquiry against the secretary to find how the discrepancies have escaped his attention.
