OLD GOA
The Santa Cruz panchayat ruling panel and former sarpanch Mariano Araujo were involved in a war of words over various issues at the gram sabha, on Sunday.
Among the issues included the non-inclusion of the episode involving architect Elsa Dias in the minutes, hike in fees of transfer of flats, project in open space, among others.
Initially, Araujo raised objections over the non-inclusion, in the minutes, of the episode involving Elsa Dias.
However, sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira told Araujo that he should not speak on the incident as he was not present for the last gram sabha.
Then, Araujo raised the issue of arbitrary increase in the fee to transfer flats which he said should be decreased.
However, the panchayat authorities said that they are only following into the footsteps of the earlier panchayat which had proposed the hike in fee to transfer flats.
Later, Araujo spoke on the issue of approval of a project in open space by the panchayat.
To that too, deputy sarpanch Domnic Pereira pointed out that it was the earlier panchayat which had passed a resolution to grant approval for the project.
Sarpanch Oliveira also stated that the panchayat will act against all moveable kiosks if the owners station them permanently and create traffic problems.
Oliveira also informed that the new panchayat ghar would be built under the Deendayal scheme of the government, where Rs 3 crore is allotted.
“The fund of Rs 50 lakh which the panchayat had originally planned to build the ground floor of the VP ghar would be used to build the compound wall and the amenities around the open area,” Oliveira informed.
On the issue of tackling garbage menace, dy sarpanch Pereira said that the panchayat will reward those who catch anyone dumping garbage or debris in the village.
Meanwhile, secretary Mahesh Naik was given a send off by the panchayat as he is about to retire shortly.
The panchayat thanked the secretary for his contribution towards the development of the village.
