MARGAO: The villagers of Dramapur-Sirlim, during the Sunday gram sabha, came down heavily on the panchayat body for not having a regular gram sabha and demanded explanation for the violation of the Panchayat Raj Act.
According to them, this gram sabha was held after one year. Though the sarpanch, Mr Olasrico Rodrigues, and other panchayat members tried to explain the delay caused, the gathered 100-odd villagers were not ready to accept the explanation.
"How will we get the follow up. And, how will we come to know what action has been taken by the panchayat in earlier complaints?" asked Mr Wilson Viegas.
Another villager pointed out that the last gram sabha was held a year back and added that it was difficult to recollect what resolutions were then taken.
The sarpanch, however, urged the villagers do bury the past and co-operate with them to carry on the development of the village.
He also assured the villagers that he will take up the gram sabhas on time unlike the last elected body.
The issue of collecting the tax form the horticulture gaddas also figured in the gram sabha.
A villager, Mr Agostinho Fernandes, pointed out there was a resolution to accept the tax ( sopo ) from these gaddas.
He also pointed out that these gadda owners are supplying the vegetables to the hoteliers depriving it to the locals, hence action needs to be taken on them.
The sarpanch urged the locals to complaint to the Horticulture corporation and the panchayat to take necessary actions on it.
"If we find these gaddas supplying vegetables to hotels, we will close them down,’’ the sarpanch promised.
The locals demanded speed breakers at couple of spots in the village.
A villager, Mr Wilson Viegas, stated that the sarpanch refused to take up his genuine problems at the gram sabha.
Speaking to the media, he said that lot of garbage is seen dumped during the night at the village borders.
"Streetlights are not functional. As a result, it has been easy for the people to dump their garbage here. The sarpanch of one of the neighbouring villages, who is running a chicken stall, is also seen dumping his waste,’’ Mr Viegas alleged.
Interestingly, the former sarpanch, Mr Seby Fernandes was also present for the gram sabha.
