MARGAO
Uproar and bedlam marked the gram sabha of the Rumdamol village panchayat on Sunday on the contentious issue of activities as a significant number of members demanded shutting down of a Trust conducting late night activities at the premises.
A section of the gram sabha also raised the sensitive issue of display of beef meat at the three shops in the village when the owners have only cold storage licence.
The meeting chaired by Mubeena Faniband turned stormy over the issue of activities conducted in the premises in question in Ward No. 3 of the Rumdamol panchayat. Agitated gram sabha members, including women demanded forthwith closure of the premises saying they have come across even adults moving in and around the premise late nights, demanding to know what sort of social activities and counselling is being carried out in the premise even past midnight.
Former sarpanch and panchayat member Vinayak Volvoikar pointed out that the NOC issued by the panchayat body was revoked when he was the village sarpanch three years ago. He has demanded to know whether the panchayat has now restored the NOC or is the premise carrying out illegal activities.
Gram sabha members pointed out that the activities have caused traffic and parking problems in the locality, as they demanded shifting of the activities to an alternate place before the issue takes a different turn. They pointed out that strangers visit the premise late night, even at midnight, causing insecurity amongst the neighbours.
The owner flatly rejected the claim that a madrassa is being conducted at the premise late night. “We have formed a Trust to carry out social activities, including distribution of food for the homeless and the poor. We also conduct counselling for the youth going astray. Hence, people come to the premise. There may be some issues pertaining to parking, but the entire Rumdamol housing board is facing parking woes,” the owner said.
After much discussion, the Sarpanch Mubeena has sought three months time to resolve the controversy after calling the owner and seeking details. The sarpanch further informed that the panchayat would write to the police to verify the claims made by the gram sabha members.
Meanwhile, panch member Vinayak Volvoikar has demanded that the panchayat should initiate action against the shops displaying beef meat. Saying the open display of beef meat has hurt the sentiments of a section of society. The panchayat member pointed out that the panchayat had issued licence for the shop for cold storage facility and not to display the meat.
