OLD GOA
A local from Old Goa has decried the panchayat’s decision asking him to seek permission to host a public meet in the panchayat hall.
A meeting to create awareness on large-scale conversions in Old Goa was scheduled on March 26 in the Se Old Goa panchayat hall and the required payment was also done by local, Glen Cabral, on March 21.
However, Cabral was sent a message on social media by the panchayat secretary on Saturday afternoon, stating that permission of the panchayat has to be taken for organising meetings in the hall.
“If you are going to use the hall for other than to host any personal function/occasion, you have to obtain prior permission from the village panchayat,” the notice signed by sarpanch Medha Patkar states.
Speaking to The Goan, Cabral said he had booked the hall for an awareness meeting on the large-scale conversion done in Old Goa through section 17(2) of the TCP Act as well as the Investment Promotion Board (IPB). “We had invited the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) members to create awareness on the same so that the locals could be made aware on the ramification of such large-scale conversions,” Cabral added.
He then pointed out that when he had made the payment for the hall booking on March 21, he had specifically stated that it was for an awareness programme. “I was never asked about further details of the awareness programme and the booking of the hall was confirmed after payment of Rs 5,000. However, on Saturday, I was sent a notice by the VP secretary on social media that I had to seek permission from the panchayat for holding any programme other than private function,” Cabral stated.
He then questioned why such a requisite is made applicable to him only. “Only a few days back, a government programme on Viksit Bharat was allowed to be held. So why is the panchayat on the backfoot regarding an awareness programme on large-scale conversions in the village?” Cabral posed and stated that, in fact, the panchayat should have taken the lead in organising the programme.
“The panchayat is not taking the lead and is creating hurdles to those who want to make people aware,” Cabral chided.
But, Cabral said they are going to arrive at the venue to hold the meeting as planned as he is yet to officially receive the notice asking to take permission from the panchayat. “The notice was sent to me through social media and physically I have not received it. Sunday and Monday are holidays. So we are going to go ahead with the meeting as planned on Tuesday,” Cabral added.
Meanwhile, GBA has condemned the move by the panchayat.
