CANACONA
Demands by locals to participate in discussions at the Loliem-Polem comunidade’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday sparked off tensions, prompting the comunidade committee to change the venue while the meeting was underway.
The Loliem-Polem Comunidade had convened an AGM in the auditorium of Shri Keshav Devalaya at 10.30 am.
It may be noted that all existing members of Loliem-Polem comunidade are also Mahajans of Shri Keshav Devasthan, but all Mahajans are not members of Loliem-Polem comunidade.
While members began to discuss the agenda, it is reportedly learnt that over 20 Mahajans of Shri Keshav Devalaya who are not members of Loliem-Polem Comunidade, went to the meeting and demanded membership to the comunidade.
Those Mahajans who are not members claimed that one of the conditions for comunidade membership is that the applicant has to be an adult, male and a Mahajan of Keshav Devalaya. They also demanded to attend the meeting on grounds that these meetings are public in nature as per the Comunidade Code.
However, the comunidade committee restrained them from attending and participating in the meeting, claiming that these comunidade meetings are private.
As the stand-off persisted with ongoing arguments, the venue of the comunidade meeting was shifted to the Shree Damodar Vidyalaya (School) hall, and it continued only with existing members taking part in the meeting.
DEFENDING DECISION
When contacted, Loliem-Polem Comunidade President Vishwajeet Varik defended the decision to continue with the meeting at a different venue.
“This (change in venue) was done to avoid conflict and avoid commotion with non-comunidade members of Shri Keshav Devasthan Mahajans,” said Varik.
“The AGM was to confirm the annual accounts. Our authorised meeting place is the Sabhamandap of Shri Keshav Devalaya, and meetings are held there without any disturbance till date.”
“The meeting started at 10.30 am and registration of present members was done by the comunidade clerk. After checking the quorum, we decided to start the meeting but could not start since a few Mahajans were seating in the Sabhamandap.”
“One of them said they wanted to become members of the comunidade of Loliem-Polem on moral grounds. We explained to them that it's an AGM of comunidade members and we cannot discuss any other business.”
“We assured to convened a joint meeting in future and resolve their issues provided they follow procedures as per comunidade code and apply.”
Varik said the Mahajans were requested to vacate the venue to enable them continue the meeting.
“Even after 10 minutes, they did not vacate the place and comunidade members suggested changing the venue and continue with the meeting.”
“We decided to conduct a meeting at Shri Indirakant hall of Shri Damodar Vidyalaya and conveyed it to all present members. The same meeting continued after 11.30 am and discussions were held regarding new membership. It was suggested by present members to take a decision in the next managing committee meeting,” Varik added.
AGENDA OF MEETING
According to sources, the Agenda for Sunday’s AGM of Loliem“Polem comunidade had included a discussion to take action against members who act against the interest of the community, to take decisions regarding new members, to consider the application regarding the road, to take decision and action regarding illegally grabbed land in Dapat, Maditalap and to decide on the application for land.
NEW MEMBERSHIP
In an application to Administrator of Comunidades (South) and other authorities, Franscisco Rebelo and several other residents of Loliem-Polem village have sought permission and intimated that villagers who are non-members of Loliem-Polem Comunidade would attend the Comunidade meeting scheduled for Sunday.
The signatories stated they are original inhabitants of Loliem-Polem, are instrumental in shaping the village in its present form, have nurtured the village and are rightful owners of all the common lands.
The signatories further stated that as per Article 37 of the Code of Comunidades, the sessions of the comunidade are public and meetings shall be open to public.
Rebello stated that he had gone to attend a previous Loliem-Polem comunidade meeting on February 4, but the managing committee had asked him to leave the meeting and told him that he could not attend the meeting.
