MARGAO
Panchayat Director's circular curtailing the rights of the members to raise any other business at the gram sabhas came in for strong opposition in Salcete on Sunday, with agitating members demanding roll back of the controversial decision.
The issue raised an uproar at the Betalbatim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda where members vehemently objected to the circular issued by the Panchayat Director Sandhya Kamat empowering the sarpanchas not to take up for discussion matters not listed on the agenda.
Agitated members drew attention of the chair that the Panchayat Director's move will only gag the people from raising burning and pressing issues concerning their villages. Gram sabha members pointed out that the circular will only bar the members from raising any issue in the interest of the village, while demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular. The members pointed out that issues raised at the gram sabha, irrespective of whether they are listed on the agenda or not, are all pertaining to the interest of the village and reflect the sentiments of the villagers on contentious issues affecting the state as a whole.
Sarpanch Constancio told The Goan that the panchayat will forward the gram sabha resolution to the Salcete Block Development Office with a copy addressed to the Panchayat Director for necessary action.
The issue also had its echo at the Orlim gram sabha held on Sunday. The meeting chaired by Tamica Da Silva saw agitated members demanding a roll back in the Panchayat Director's circular, which has curbed the rights of the members to raise any issues affecting the village and the state as a whole.
Former Orlim Sarpanch Gaudencio Luis told The Goan after the meeting that the gram sabha members were upset over the Panchayat Director's circular, saying the move has curbed the freedom of the members to raise issues of public importance at the gram sabhas. "The members were agitated that the circular has empowered the sarpanchs to bar discussion on issues not listed on the agenda, pointing out that this would come in the
way of members raising burning issues at the gram sabha," he added.
Panchayat Director's circular curtailing the rights of the members to raise any other business at the gram sabhas came in for strong opposition in Salcete on Sunday, with agitating members demanding roll back of the controversial decision.
The issue raised an uproar at the Betalbatim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda where members vehemently objected to the circular issued by the Panchayat Director Sandhya Kamat empowering the sarpanchas not to take up for discussion matters not listed on the agenda.
Agitated members drew attention of the chair that the Panchayat Director's move will only gag the people from raising burning and pressing issues concerning their villages. Gram sabha members pointed out that the circular will only bar the members from raising any issue in the interest of the village, while demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular. The members pointed out that issues raised at the gram sabha, irrespective of whether they are listed on the agenda or not, are all pertaining to the interest of the village and reflect the sentiments of the villagers on contentious issues affecting the state as a whole.
Sarpanch Constancio told The Goan that the panchayat will forward the gram sabha resolution to the Salcete Block Development Office with a copy addressed to the Panchayat Director for necessary action.
The issue also had its echo at the Orlim gram sabha held on Sunday. The meeting chaired by Tamica Da Silva saw agitated members demanding a roll back in the Panchayat Director's circular, which has curbed the rights of the members to raise any issues affecting the village and the state as a whole.
Former Orlim Sarpanch Gaudencio Luis told The Goan after the meeting that the gram sabha members were upset over the Panchayat Director's circular, saying the move has curbed the freedom of the members to raise issues of public importance at the gram sabhas. "The members were agitated that the circular has empowered the sarpanchs to bar discussion on issues not listed on the agenda, pointing out that this would come in the
way of members raising burning issues at the gram sabha," he added.
