VASCO
While the High Court has set aside the ward reservation for elections to Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), the neighbouring Chicalim panchayat will have an election to Ward 2 on March 20.
Speaking to reporters, Chicalim Panchayat Seby Pereira said Ward 2 had no panch member since the last few months.
"Ward 2 panch member Anna Marie Azavedo had gone on a leave because she went to the United Kingdom and it has been more than six months since she has not returned. She later sent us a message that she cannot come back and also sent us her resignation letter,” said Pereira.
“As of now, elections have been declared in that ward on March 20. There are many works in that ward which we have taken up, but without a panch member things seemed difficult and hence, there was a need to have this election.”
Pereira said in the absence of the panch member, he and other panch members would carried out work in Ward 2 in their individual capacity or through the panchayat.
“It is important to have a ward member there so that people are not inconvenienced all the time and people will get a chance to decide and elect a new panch member in the upcoming election," said Pereira.
