MARGAO
The Betalbatim gram sabha on Sunday witnessed an uproar on the question whether people from outside the village can attend the gram sabha meetings.
Heated exchanges ensued over the issue after former Minister Mickky Pacheco and others told a person from the neighbouring village of Majorda, to move out of the hall. He pointed out that people from outside the village cannot attend the gram sabha meeting since they are not members of the gram sabha.
As the person refused to move out of the hall, Mickky and other gram sabha members told the Sarpanch Constancio Miranda to get the person out of the hall or face law and order situation.
The former MLA pointed out that the village gram sabha is meant basically for the villagers and not for the outsiders.
As the issue became a subject matter of debate, the sarpanch replied back saying that non-members cannot participate if they attend the meeting. This reply from the sarpanch was not accepted by Mickky, who insisted that the sarpanch take a decision as per the Goa Panchayati Raj Act.
Even as the Panchayat Secretary went through the Act to ascertain the legal position on the issue, Sarpanch Miranda called up the Salcete BDO, only to be told that while anyone can attend the meeting, a non-member cannot sign the attendance register or participate in the deliberations.
The gram sabha also got the Sarpanch and Secretary of the names of two persons, who had signed the attendance register. When the Sarpanch pointed out that he would have to adjourn the meeting if the meeting insists on written confirmation on the issue from the BDO, the issue died down after the person from Majorda volunteered to move out of the meeting hall saying, “Let them continue with the meeting and complete the proceedings”.
Incidentally, during the discussions, gram sabha members pointed out that even Portuguese passport holders cannot participate in the deliberations.
The gram sabha discussed and deliberated on a host of issues, including beach-side fencing by the hotels. They demanded that the panchayat should not allow any fencing saying easy access for the villagers should be maintained at all times.
Members also demanded that the panchayat should initiate action against the hotels which has allegedly extended their rooms without permission. They also demanded installation of CCTV surveillance cameras in the village.
Members further demanded that hotel projects proposed in the village should be placed before the gram sabha for discussion.
The Sarpanch later told the media that the Panchayat would hold a joint inspection to verify the complaints made by the gram sabha. He also said the Panchayat has got the administrative approval to install CCTV cameras at certain locations in the village.
