The Calangute budgeted Rs 15 lakh in the financial year 2024-25 to pay legal fees to advocates representing them before the appellate authority. This is paid from public funds, causing economic hardship to local residents.
On 5th March 2024, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho held a ‘Janta Darbar’ at Calangute Village Panchayat Ghar to listen to public issues. Citizens raised concerns about the non-functioning sewerage system, contamination of well water due to ring wells acting as soak pits, seepage of oil from a paint factory in Saligao Plateau, and the slow progress of cases against citizens filed before the appellate authority.
A Village Panchayat established under Section 3 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, does not have the authority to file an appeal to overturn an order passed by the designated officer acting as the appellate authority of the Village Panchayat. The powers exercised by the Calangute Panchayat are not defined in the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, nor are they formed by statute or executive action of the government.
