Objections to the draft Gram Sabha rules

Date: 24^th April 2018

To,

The Director of Panchayats

and Ex-Officio Joint Secretary to the Government of Goa,

3^rd Lift, 3^rd Floor, Junta House,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Objections to the draft rules concerning Gram Sabha meetings

Sir,

We write to object draft Rules concerning Goa Panchayat Gram Sabha meetings as notified via no.38/DP/TP/ELN/2017/2312 and published in official gazette – Govt of Goa series I No 2 dated 12^th April, 2018 regarding draft further amendment to the Goa Panchayats (Gram Sabha Meetings) Rules, 1996.

We object to one sentence in the substitution of Rule 7 as “No subject shall be discussed in such meetings besides the Agenda as approved by the Gram Sabha”.

We want to let you know that there several people in Goa who does not know to write and for them only way of expression in Gram Sabha is in speaking out their concerns. You cannot make rules like this to stop people from speaking on the spot at Gram Sabhas for it may lead to serious consequences of law and order and accumulation of unexpressed views.

We recommend that Gram Sabha meetings be kept open for discussions under A.O.B (Any Other Business) point.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Rohidas Andrade

Convenor, Bambolim Unit

Sanjay Pereira

Convenor, Cacra Unit

Socorro Braganza

Convenor, Siridao Unit

Sitaram Pereira

Convenor, Odxel Unit

Milind Palkar

Convenor, Nauxim Unit

Anthony Cardozo

Convenor, Curca Unit