BENAULIM VILLAGERS WANT RESERVATION FOR GULF RETURNEES

The plight of thousands of Goans working in the Gulf countries who are facing the impact of ‘World Recession’, which could render them jobless seemed to have stirred Benaulim villagers to move a resolution in its gram sabha . During the gram sabha, it was resolved that 90 percent jobs in the village’s starred hotels and the hotel industry should be utilised for Goans, particularly those returning to the home state from the Gulf countries. Majority of the gram sabha members opined that help could be sought to sort out any differences existing between the members of the gram sabha and the elected representatives in the interest of the village, and added that the local MLA, Mr Francisco Pacheco, panchayat minister, director of panchayat and the collector could be approached to settle the problems faced by the villagers. Their opinion was largely accepted at the adjourned meeting of the panchayat, which for various reasons saw turmoil in several gram sabhas in the past.A special meeting was sought to be held in this regard and a resolution was adopted in this respect too. The marathon gram sabha finally concluded after witnessing eight consecutive adjournments, which is a record of sort in the history of the gram sabha of the panchayats held anywhere in the state and these adjournments took over a period of around three months.The meeting which was chaired by the deputy sarpanch, Mr Stanley Fernandes in the absence of sarpanch, Ms Carmeline Fernandes, who sources disclosed, has reported to be sick, took stock of the grievances of the villagers and came in for appreciation for the concern of the villagers’ problems.One of the hotly debated issues was regarding the adamant attitude of the hoteliers to recruit locals and after good discussion on the subject a five-member committee was formed to keep a check on hotels that fail to employ the locals.The issue of the ‘Dando football ground’ also figured wherein it was felt that not enough steps were taken by the panchayat body to take possession of this ground. But when the deputy sarpanch promised that this issue would be settled, calm prevailed and the gram sabha reposed faith in the words of the chairperson who announced that a sum of Rs 35 lakh have been budgeted for the development of this football ground.Another issue that figured as usual was regarding the mega housing projects wherein a demand was made that erring builders should be taken to task.Meanwhile, confusion prevailed at the gram sabha of the Raia panchayat that was held on Sunday to discuss the draft regional plan, 2021.There were differences of opinion regarding the draft regional plan prepared by the village committee and the one prepared by the panchayat body.The sarpanch, Mr Savio Gomes came in for lot of criticism from the gram sabha members for allegedly stifling the voice and the will of the villagers and for his decision to scrap the draft regional plan prepared by the village level regional plan committee.This announcement of scrapping the regional plan of the village level committee was made after the sarpanch gave just two options --- either to accept the plan or reject it and then announced that the regional plan has been rejected. It was disclosed that a fresh regional plan would be drawn taking into consideration, suggestions and objections from the villagers. The fresh regional plan would be displayed at the village panchayat once it is ready and this would be done in a short period of time, it was disclosed.