MARGAO
The gram sabha of Seraulim village was adjourned on Sunday after an uproar over a resolution adopted by the panchayat to give permission for a business without mentioning the nature of the business.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Seema Shanke was scheduled to address burning issues, including the Seraulim underpass and the demand for a flyover to tide over the traffic issues facing the village.
However, the meeting was adjourned after agitated gram sabha members questioned the chair over the unanimous resolution adopted by the panchayat to grant permission for a business without making a mention of the nature of the business. The members pointed out that when the issue regarding the same land filling had come up before the gram sabha for discussion, the chair had pointed out that the matter is sub judice. “How can the panchayat issue the licence for business when a case of land filling has been going on in the court? the members wondered.
The members also raised the issue of engaging lawyer to represent the panchayat in the change of zone from agriculture to settlement in the village.
Matter came to a head when the Sarpanch decided to stop the meeting and started walking down from the podium. Agitated gram sabha members, however, stood their ground, saying they will not leave the hall and threatened to continue the meeting.
The police also made their presence at the meeting hall as a precautionary measure.
The Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch Leslie Dourado and the panchayat members again made their presence on the stage and took their chairs before adjourning the meeting.
