Uproar in Verla–Canca as secretary blocks illegal construction debate

VOICES OF DISSENT: Villagers of Verla–Canca question the panchayat body during a heated gram sabha on Sunday, demanding answers over illegal constructions, pending RTI replies and refusal to table key proposals.

 MAPUSA

Chaos erupted at the Verla–Canca gram sabha on Sunday after the panchayat secretary refused to entertain several key proposals submitted in writing by villagers, triggering sharp protests and reducing the meeting to a stormy face-off.

Residents alleged that the panchayat declined to record the minutes of the meeting and rejected multiple agenda points raised by the people, including complaints relating to garbage management, hutments and alleged illegal constructions in the village.

The Sarpanch Arti Chari remained largely silent as tempers flared.

Several residents had formally sought a discussion on what they described as “rampant illegal constructions” in the area and demanded transparency on action taken by the panchayat.

They sought details on the number of complaints received, show-cause notices issued, and inspections conducted by the panchayat body.

However, the panchayat secretary reportedly refused to allow any discussion on illegal constructions, stating that such matters could not be deliberated upon in a gram sabha. The decision sparked immediate outrage among those present.

“We gave our proposals in writing well in advance. If the gram sabha cannot discuss illegal constructions, then where are we supposed to raise these issues?” one villager asked during the heated exchange.

Adding to the tension was the rejection of another written proposal seeking discussion on the panchayat’s alleged failure to respond to several RTI applications that had been inwarded with the office. This, too, was disallowed by the secretary, further angering the gathering.

The meeting turned increasingly boisterous as villagers questioned the sarpanch over the secretary’s refusal to table their concerns and sought clarity on why public queries were being “stonewalled.”

Despite the uproar, the gram sabha concluded with only one resolution being passed – to convene a special gram sabha on March 21 to discuss the panchayat budget.

Villagers said they would decide their next course of action if their demands continue to be sidelined.