OLD GOA
Residents of Curca have requisitioned the panchayat to convene an extraordinary gram sabha to discuss water shortage in the village.
A memorandum to this effect was submitted to the panchayat authorities on Wednesday and it was signed by over 570 locals, which comprises 1/10th of the total voters of Curca.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum, a local Sudesh Khandolkar informed that the villagers have been facing acute water shortage problem and the same needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.
“Therefore, we have requisitioned for an extraordinary gram sabha under section 5(5) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act to discuss and deliberate on the water shortage issue,” Khandolkar stated.
When pointed out that the water supply issue needs to be addressed to the local MLA, RGP spokesperson Ajay Kholkar pointed out that under Sections 79, 80 and 84 of the GPR Act, 1994, the panchayat is empowered to deal with the water supply issue.
“Whereas Section 79 speaks about power for providing adequate water supply, Section 80 speaks about power of panchayat to make bye-laws regarding provisions of water supply and Section 84 speaks about powers and duties of panchayat in regard to sources of water supply,” Kholkar added.
“In light of this, the Curca locals have requisitioned for an extraordinary gram sabha and the panchayat has 30 days to decide on the same. If the panchayat fails to summon the gram sabha, then we will be forced to approach the higher authorities to act in the matter,” Kholkar added.
