MARGAO
In a bid to bring together the panchayat members and gram sabha members of the Sao Jose de Areal village panchayat, Velim MLA Cruz Silva on Saturday brokered a meeting at the panchayat to resolve issues between the two sides.
After hearing the grievances of the gram sabha members and the stand of the panchayat members represented by Deputy Sarpanch Valente Fernandes, the Velim MLA told the media that he had convened a meeting of the two sides to ensure that gram sabha members are concluded on time so that the development projects are implemented at the earliest.
The MLA said there have been instances wherein gram sabha meetings of Sao Jose de Areal village panchayat do not get concluded even after two or three adjournments, thus hampering the progress and development of the village. “I just thought of bringing together representatives of the panchayat body and the delegation of gram sabha members how to break the stalemate. As an MLA, I cannot interfere in the functioning of the panchayat body, but I have taken the initiative of bringing together the two sides in the interest of the village,” Cruz said.
He added: “The gram sabha meetings need to be conducted and concluded on time so that development is taken forward. Several burning issues such as scrapyards, etc plague the village and these issues need to be resolved.”
Gram sabha member Freddy Travasso told the media that the panchayat needs to admit that they had committed the mistake of not taking the proposals submitted by the members at the gram sabha meetings. “The gram sabha members are ready to work with the members since they have been elected by the people, but they need to show that they are for the people and the village,” Freddy added.
Deputy sarpanch Valente welcomed the initiative by the Velim MLA Cruz Silva, saying the meeting has helped to remove the misconceptions and bring the panchayat members and the gram sabha members to work together for the development of the village.
