MEETING OF SANCOALE PANCHAYAT

VASCO:  Chaos prevailed yet again at the Sancoale Panchayat meeting on Tuesday, amid accusations from the ruling and opposition groups.

While the opposition claimed the meeting was not conducted properly and accusing the ruling panel of blatant corruption, the ruling panch members refuted the allegations and asserted that the meeting took place despite deliberate disruptions by the opposition.

Speaking to media persons, Sancoale Deputy Sarpanch Darick Vales stated that the continuous disruptions by the opposition were affecting several important files related to house tax, construction licenses, and other local matters.

“Our last meeting was held on December 4, 2024, and we confirmed the minutes of that meeting. Despite attempts by the opposition to disrupt proceedings today, we successfully completed the meeting,” said Vales.

“The opposition’s sole agenda is to create issues, make baseless allegations, bring in crowds, and personally target panch members. When we don’t react, they resort to snatching documents and creating a ruckus.”

Vales also addressed allegations regarding clearance of various bills, and garbage collection payments.

“All bills are properly included in the agenda and cleared following due procedures. We have also assigned garbage collection to Paradeep Phosphate Limited, eliminating additional costs for the panchayat. The opposition members are simply frustrated about not being in power,” he alleged.

The deputy sarpanch further claimed that opposition members were deliberately stalling panchayat work, leaving important files pending for three months. He also alleged that they had attacked a garbage collection contractor.

“They even accused us of paying advocate bills without approval. However, we have only paid a small amount and have forwarded the remaining bills for approval from the Panchayat Director. No bills have been passed without due process,” he clarified.

Meanwhile, opposition panch Tulshidas Naik leveled serious corruption charges against the ruling panel.

“Gram Sevak Oevile Vales is illegally functioning as the Panchayat Secretary and sent us the meeting notice with an agenda of 19 pages. After our last meeting on December 4, the ruling panel wrapped up the meeting in minutes and even filed a police complaint against me for allegedly damaging a book,” Naik claimed.

Naik further alleged that the ruling members deliberately prevented him from accessing the minutes book of the previous meeting.

“When I insisted on reading the minutes and signing my presence for today’s meeting, the Deputy Sarpanch refused to give me the book. However, the same book was handed over to another panch who arrived late. When I persisted, they abruptly ended the meeting, even though it was never conducted properly,” he said.

The opposition panch also accused the ruling panel of mobilising a crowd from Zuarinagar and other areas to create disturbances and intimidate opposition members.

“On December 4, they cleared bills worth Rs 40 lakh, and today’s meeting was only meant to clear bills of Rs 65 lakh. This is nothing but corruption and misuse of power,” Naik alleged.

The opposition has written to various authorities seeking intervention in the matter.

“The ruling members are only interested in passing construction and trade licenses. They have murdered democracy and stripped opposition members of their basic rights. We demand immediate action to stop their dictatorial rule,” Naik said.

With both sides standing firm on their claims, the ongoing conflict in Sancoale Panchayat shows no signs of resolution, leaving governance and local development in a state of deadlock.