the goan I network
MARGAO
The Aquem-Baixo gram sabha witnessed uproarious scenes on Sunday as a section of the members booed two panchas and others questioning the Sarpanch Siddesh Bhagat, forcing the two to leave the meeting hall.
While Sarpanch Siddesh Bhagat later told the media that the gram sabha members had to come to express their solidarity with him in view of reported moves to topple the body, former Sarpanch Inacio Dias expressed shock and surprise over the conduct of the meeting, with some members booing and shouting at those who questioned the Sarpanch. “I have been a member of the panchayat in the past, but I had never seen such an uproar and shouting by gram sabha members for questioning the sarpanch,” Inacio said.
Trouble started from the word go when the minutes of the previous meeting came up for confirmation when Inacio sought a clarification from Sarpandh Sidhesh over the saving he has done pertaining to a tender. Even as the sarpanch was giving his reply, Inacio had to contend with a hostile reaction from some gram sabha members, who booed and jeered at him.
Uproar was again witnessed when former Sarpanch Damu Naik sought to know from Sarpanch Sidhesh when is he available for the members of the public at the panchayat office. The sarpanch sought to ask Damu whether he had fixed any timing during his tenure as sarpanch, further pointing that he (Damu) is always seen at the panchayat office.
Two panch members Geetamala Mane and Passiencia Dias, wife of Inacio, urged the sarpanch to only reply to the query raised by Damu. At this stage, the two panchas were booed as result of which they had to leave the meeting hall in protest. Passencia later returned, but refused to sit on the dais.
Sarpanch Siddesh pointed out that certain gram sabha members were agitated over moves to unseat him from the post. Since the people are more interested in the village and not in the musical chair game, they must have come today to express their solidarity with him.
The issue of the tower also figured in the discussions when Inacio questioned the panchayat action, even as some gram sabha members spoke in his support over the issue. The audit report was later presented at the meeting.
