Betalbatim gram sabha disrupted by remark against sarpanch

Margao: A gram sabha in Betalbatim on Sunday descended into turmoil after a member made an inappropriate personal remark against sarpanch Minu Antonio Fernandes, sparking a heated confrontation between supporters of both parties.

As matters threatened to get out of hand, police intervention defused the tense situation. When approached by TOI after the incident, Fernandes downplayed the incident and said, “Sometimes people lose their temper, it happens. I got down from the dais, went across to him, and made him see reason. Then I returned and answered all his questions.”

The gram sabha discussed issues like mega housing projects, garbage management, and development plans. Members raised concerns over the impact of large-scale real estate projects and their sustainability on the village’s infrastructure and resources, given the village’s limited capacity and growing migrant influx.

“Uncontrolled infrastructure development has strained local resources beyond capacity,” a gram sabha member said, citing concerns about protecting the resources and maintaining environmental balance.

The gram sabha was informed of the panchayat’s decision to enhance garbage collection services. “Currently, the panchayat collects only dry waste twice a month. We have hired an agency to collect both dry and wet waste, door to door. For this service, a fee of Rs 50 per year will be charged for every household,” Fernandes said.