MARGAO
The demand for reverting back to the ballot system for voting at the general election echoed at the gram sabha of Varca panchayat on Sunday.
At the gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Roland Fernandes, members demanded scrapping of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) saying that the machines are not tamper proof and can be manipulated.
The gram sabha wondered why the EVMs are still in use in India when developed countries such as Japan and USA, which had developed these machines, have all revered back to the time-tested ballot system of voting.
Sarpanch Roland said the gram sabha resolution demanding elections using the ballot system will be forwarded to the government as well as to the Chief Election Commissioner.
The panchayat also debated on the parking of vehicles along the road near vegetable stalls and at garages, resulting in traffic congestion. Members told the sarpanch that a number of vehicles are being parked near a garage in the village resulting in traffic snarls. They also drew attention of the sarpanch to the parking of vehicles on the roads near vegetable stalls, demanding no parking of vehicles along the roads.
The sarpanch replied saying that the panchayat would speak to the garage owner on the points raised by the gram sabha, adding that it would move the police and the RTO if the vehicles continued to remain parked on the road.
Members also demanded a hike in the salaries of the sarpanch, deputy sarpanch and the panchayat members to meet their requirements. Presently, the sarpanch draws a monthly salary of Rs 4000 and his deputy Rs 3500.
