Locals allege resolutions inserted into minutes book
MAPUSA
The Director of Panchayats has suspended Saligao panchayat secretary Pravisha Bhonsle with immediate effect following allegations of manipulation of official records and procedural irregularities in the functioning of the village panchayat.
The suspension order, issued last Friday by Director of Panchayats Mahadev Araundekar, states that disciplinary proceedings are being contemplated against Bhonsle for alleged misconduct, lack of integrity and dereliction of duty.
The action follows a complaint dated February 22 filed by ward members Dayanand Mandrekar, Geeta Rane, Ramdas Konadkar, Utkarsha Kudnekar and Ashwini Kerkar.
In their complaint, the members alleged that certain resolutions were inserted into the minutes book after the conclusion of a panchayat body meeting held on January 14 under the guise of “any other business”.
According to the complaint, the minutes of the January 14 meeting were confirmed during a subsequent meeting held on January 29 and were signed by all ward members in good faith.
However, during the February 13 meeting, the members allegedly discovered that several resolutions, which they claim were never discussed or approved by the panchayat body, had been inserted into the records by the secretary.
The complainants also expressed apprehension that other resolutions detrimental to the interests of the village and its residents may have similarly been added to the minutes book, creating the impression that they had been discussed and approved by the panchayat body.
The suspension order also refers to a report submitted on April 8 by the Block Development Officer (BDO), Bardez, following an inquiry into complaints related to the Saligao panchayat.
The inquiry reportedly found procedural lapses, including the processing of an incomplete application from one Carlos D’Souza and the issuance of seven trade establishment licences without mandatory licences or no-objection certificates from the departments concerned.
The BDO further observed discrepancies in the recording of these licences in the outward register, allegedly violating the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) guidelines and provisions of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
Pending inquiry, Bhonsle has been directed to report to the office of the BDO, Bardez, which will serve as her headquarters during the suspension period.
