Dispute at Raia panchayat over delayed works and wages

Margao: A controversy has erupted at the Raia panchayat with elected representatives and the newly appointed panchayat secretary trading accusations over delayed developmental works and unpaid wages.
On Friday, sarpanch Mario Souza led a group of elected representatives in a protest outside the panchayat office, alleging that the secretary, who was transferred to the panchayat two months ago, was deliberately obstructing development projects.
“The tender process was completed for several developmental works, including road repairs, hotmixing of roads, and pre-monsoon works, but they are awaiting clearance by the panchayat secretary,” Souza told the media. “When questioned, the secretary simply says he needs to study the files.”
Souza further alleged that payments to daily wage labourers, mostly local Goan women maintaining the panchayat playground, were withheld for over three weeks. Another panchayat member, who participated in the protest, claimed political motivations behind the delays.
“We strongly believe development is being stalled for political reasons,” the member said, appealing to panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho and chief minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and prevent “further politicisation of the issue.”
Panchayat secretary Amrit Sakhalkar firmly denied these allegations, countering that he inherited a system with numerous procedural violations.
“Rules stipulate that works amounting to over Rs 5,000 need quotations or tenders. Simply because such bills were cleared in the past, I cannot clear bills that violate these rules,” Sakhalkar said. “I am answerable to the queries that will be raised in the audit.” He said he has sought guidance from higher authorities in such cases.