PANAJI
The Gram Sabha members of Santa Cruz present for the meeting on July 30 have petitioned the Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker to expunge the statements made by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on the issue of illegal gambling.
The petition, signed by 46 members, has pointed out that MLA Sardesai had made a statement in the House accusing the Santa Cruz gram sabha of approving a resolution to legalise matka gambling.
The villagers pointed out that the MLA apparently made his statement on the report in a local newspaper, which was false and misleading.
Stating the facts, the petition then goes on to state that a resolution to ban illegal gambling in the village was moved by former sarpanch Mariano Araujo.
“He was told by the deputy sarpanch that the said proposal is in the interest of the village and that the panchayat supports him but the gram sabha doesn’t have powers to take such resolutions as illegal gambling is a criminal offence and doesn’t come within the purview of the Panchayati Raj Act, due to which he was asked to approach the appropriate authorities with his grievances,” the petitions goes on to state.
The petition then points out that as the former sarpanch was insisting on a resolution to ban illegal gambling, the matter was then put to vote and the majority decided against approving such a resolution.
The petition further states that there was never a vote to pass a resolution in favour of illegal gambling, as has been stated and hence a demand is made that such a statement be expunged from the Assembly records.
The villagers have also made a mention that the local newspaper had issued a clarification in this regard.
