CANACONA
The Gaondongrim Gram Sabha has resolved to boycott the Lok Sabha elections if material purchased under the ‘Watershed Scheme’ of the central government is not distributed to beneficiaries before the elections.
Speaking to media persons, Gaondongrim Sarpanch Yeshwant alias Dhillon Dessai said that several resolutions were passed in the last Gram Sabha on Sunday.
“The most important resolution passed was to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Of all seven panchayats in Canacona, the Watershed Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana was passed only for only Gaondongrim panchayat,” said Dessai.
“Nearly Rs 15 lakh came to our account and during that time, it was decided to purchase a steel cupboard, chairs, tables and sound system for each of the 11 anganwadis in the Gaondongrim village.
“The agriculture department has to order it and the panchayat had to pay the amount. All this material was purchased by spending around Rs10 lakh. Till today, this material brought to distribute to the angawadis is gathering dust in the office of the Agriculture department in Canacona,” Dessai said. “We are told that some of this material is also lying in the residence of one Agriculture office staffer. When we sought an explanation, the staffer kept mum.”
During a discussion on the Agriculture Policy in Canacona, Dessai said he had raised the issue and sought to know why the material had been kept idle and not distributed to the Anganwadis for which it was bought. “I was assured there would be a solution in two days, but it is over a month since that agriculture meeting,” said the sarpanch.
During the last Gram Sabha meeting, Dessai said the issue was raised and people wanted to know what the panchayat had done in the matter. “We even approached the Director of Panchayats to know why it has been kept pending, but the director also keeps saying it will be done in two days.
“Now, the people of Gaondongrim have taken a resolution in the Gram Sabha that if the purchased material is not handed over, we will boycott the Lok Sabha elections. This resolution was passed unanimously.”
Dessai clarified that they have no problems with other development works. “All these other works have been approved by the government, and the Gaondongrim panchayat is presently executing the Rs 50 lakh market complex.”
“Besides, another Rs 40-50 lakh worth of work are underway. We don’t have problems with other government works, but this type of harassment should not take place,” said Dessai.
