Budget proposals stalled at Socorro meet

PANAJI: Disappointed with the panchayat over lack of transparency and also for disregarding members resolutions on development projects, a gram sabha of Socorro panchayat unanimously stalled the budget proposals sought to be passed on Sunday.

The meeting was chaired by sarpanch Shital Arolkar and seeking approval for the budget proposals for the ensuing financial year was one of the items on the main agenda. However, the members grilled the sarpanch and sought to know about its plans for the village. "Has the panchayat body prepared any village development plan, annual development and ward development plan?" the villagers asked.

Members also pointed out that the gram sabha had resolved on several occasions not to allow multi-storeyed units and gated housing projects due to lack of infrastructure. But the panchayat has bypassed the gram sabha and granted permission to such projects.

There is no accountability and transparency vis-a-vis gram sabhas and resolutions adopted therein, the villagers alleged.

The members also sought to know about the criteria adopted to draw up the budget estimates. They asked if any data has been gathered about existing roads and the ones to be repaired before proposing new ones. "If the villagers don't have the right to decide on the type of development in their own village, then the panchayat body has no moral right to seek approval for the budget," a villager said.

Pointing out that town and country planning (TCP) department gives approval to development projects in the village, a member shouted amidst the din,"Send the budget to TCP for approval." While refusing approval to the budget, the members demanded that the panchayat body come up with proper development plans for the village.

The members also opposed the proposal of the panchayat to effect a hike in house tax, seeking from the body the rationale behind it. The panchayat has no plans for the village and is not accountable to us, the villagers alleged. But the panchayat members could not explain or justify the reasons for the hike.

Members also passed a resolution seeking revocation of approvals granted by the panchayat to a huge project in the village till certain conditions are complied with. The project proponent should be asked to revert the possession of a house in the property (for the chaplain to reside in) and also set aside land required for services, especially, the procession during festivities.

The members also discussed the issue of a present site at Vaddem being used for dumping of garbage. They suggested that it be acquired - a resolution was also passed to that effect - for scientific treatment and disposal of garbage.

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