MAPUSA
Tension prevailed at Calangute Panchayat after some villagers from Umtavaddo-Calangute confronted the sarpanch stating that the panchayat secretary inspected shops at Umtavaddo following a complaint from a non-Goan, while their complaints were ignored.
According to sources, former panch Jaynath Parulekar had complained to the Panchayat that a non-Goan businessman blocked the traditional pathway and started some construction activity. Later, Calangute Sarpanch Anthony Menezes directed the panchayat secretary to conduct inspection of the construction on Monday.
In the meantime, the non-Goan businessman also complained with the BDO that a person constructed nine shops near his construction site. Acting on the complaint, the BDO had directed the panchayat secretary to conduct inspection and submit a report on Monday.
Sources said the panchayat secretary did not inspect the traditional pathway, but inspected the nine shops. This made the locals furious.
After the secretary left from the site, the locals gathered at Calangute Panchayat and confronted the Sarpanch.
The villagers told the sarpanch that the non-Goan businessman has blocked the traditional pathway.
"How panchayat can give permission to renovate the house which do not exist?" questioned a local. Sarpanch Menezes pacified the crowd saying that the secretary has given permission by keeping the panchayat members in the dark. "Illegal constructions won't be tolerated. Permission to the person will be immediately revoked," he assured.
