PERNEM
The gram sabha was presided over by Tuem sarpanch Prajkta Kannaik and was attended by deputy sarpanch Vilasini Naik, panchas Swati Harmalkar, Suhas Naik, Ulhas Naik, Ganpatrao Pednekar, panchayat secretary Shanti Harijan and BDO representative Manisha Morajkar.
Justifying her inability to convene a gram sabha earlier, Tuem sarpanch Prajkta Kannaik said she had various meetings scheduled on each Sunday of the past month.
Villagers were unhappy with her reply and claimed that if the sarpanch did not have enough time, the other panch members could have convened the gram sabha.
“If the sarpanch and panchayat secretary had given their consent, the panch members could have easily organised a gram sabha,” stated a resident.
A resident, Anil Harmalkar, then demanded the postponement of the gram sabha to next Sunday.
The panchayat informed him that the panchayat hall had been booked for a wedding ceremony next Sunday, making it impossible to organise the gram sabha next Sunday.
A displeased Harmalkar insisted, “Cancel the wedding but organise a gram sabha the next Sunday.”
A hot debate ensued in the matter between panchayat members and villagers, before the panchayat finally decided to postpone gram sabha, but said the date would be announced later.
