OLD GOA
The Santa Cruz panchayat has sent a legal notice to activist Tara Kerkar seeking apology from her for making alleged statements that the gram sabha members had endorsed that ‘matka’ operations should be carried out unabated.
In the notice, signed by sarpanch Jennifer de Oliveira, it has been stated that the word ‘matka’ never figured at the gram sabha held on July 30 and that the voting at the gram sabha pertained only on the issue of whether the resolution moved against illegal gambling in the village should be allowed or not.
Further, sarpanch Oliveira has given a time of 15 days, from the receipt of the notice, to Kerkar to withdraw her statement and tender an unconditional public apology at the earliest failing which the panchayat would initiate legal action.
However, when questioned by The Goan why only Kerkar is targeted when the media conference pertaining to the matter was addressed by Santa Cruz panchas, former panchas and locals as well, sarpanch Oliveira said that they are their villagers and they would be dealt with at the upcoming gram sabha.
‘They are our villagers and they will be dealt with separately. But, the said activist is an outsider and should have cross-checked the facts before making statements,” Oliveira added.
Former deputy sarpanch Domnic Pereira, though, informed that the villagers will be asked to tender apology at the gram sabha, failing which they would also be issued legal notices just like Kerkar.
