DoP stays spl gram sabha at Loliem

MARGAO: Following an appeal made by two residents from Loliem-Canacona who challenged the haste in summoning a special extraordinary gram sabha, scheduled for Sunday, September 25 to discuss the proposed Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) to be set up at the Bhagwati plateau in Loliem, the director of panchayats, Gurudas Pilarnkar has granted the residents’ request, and accordingly stayed the resolution of the Loliem panchayat, summoning this special gram sabha.
On Saturday, the duo from Loliem, Mohandas Lolienkar and Darshan Prabhugaonkar along with another resident, Prashant Naik spoke to reporters and said that the panchayat director Pilarnkar had now scheduled the next hearing for October 21 at 3 pm. In his order, Pilarnkar stated, “I have gone through all the aspects of this case and I find that setting up of IIT is a government project, and whether it is covered under any functions of gram sabha is a question of interpretation.Till the final hearing, the resolution passed by the panchayat is stayed ex parte (with respect to or in the interests of one side only).
The matter is fixed for hearing on October 21, 2016 at 3 pm. Notices (to) be sent to all parties. One copy may also be served on the block development officer, Canacona in view of the decision taken by him dated September 22, 2016.”
Lolienkar and Prabhugankar had filed a petition before Pilarnkar under Section 178 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 pointing out that the Loliem panchayat headed by sarpanch Bhushan Prabhugaonkar had passed a resolution on August 21 to summon a special gram sabha on September 25 to discuss the issue of setting up of IIT-Goa at Bhagwati plateau at Loliem