MARGAO
The Navelim gram sabha was forced “postponed” by some gram sabha members over the absence of the Sarpanch and on other issues.
Developments unfolded at the Navelim gram sabha chaired by deputy Sarpanch Velinda Alphonso at the time of reading and confirmation of the minutes of the previous meetings.
A group of gram sabha members demanded to know reasons behind the absence of Sarpanch Michael Cardozo at the meeting. They also demanded to know whether the Secretary has brought the Asset book of the Panchayat at the meeting. One of the members was overheard raising the issue of the parking of an educational institution.
The members demanded the adjournment of the gram sabha over the absence of the Sarpanch insisting on the presence of the Sarpanch to answer queries raised by the members.
After much discussion, it was decided to “postpone” the gram sabha meeting. Instead of adjournment, it has been recorded in the minutes that the meeting has been postponed as demanded by the members on the issue of Sarpanch and the panchayat asset book.
The members wanted the chair to fix the postponed gram sabha next week, but the members were informed that the meeting date will be announced after discussing with the Sarpanch.
Gram sabha member Eleuterio Carneiro questioned the decision to postpone the gram sabha when the meeting was chaired by deputy Sarpanch Velinda Alphonso. Carneiro wondered whether the decision to postpone the gram sabha confirms to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, which has a provision in place that a deputy Sarpanch assumes charge in the absence of the Sarpanch
