BANAULEKARS PROTEST

An impromptu call to a few social minded activists of Benaulim saw nearly two hundred villagers of Benaulim turn up at the Deputy Director of Panchayats, South Goa, Smt. Shabari Manjrekar on 10th June, 2009, to protest regarding the functioning of the Benaulim Panchayat. Advocate Anacleto Viegas, on behalf of Mr. Cyriaco Barretto, Pesident of Benaulim Residents Consumer Forum served a legal notice to the Director of Panchayats and submitted a copy to the Deputy Director's office regarding the functioning of the Benaulim panchayat. An oral representation was also made by Ms. Geraldine Fernandes & Mr. Benny Fernandes, Chairperson and President of the BVAC. Coincidentally, the day happens to be the 150th Birth anniversary of Roque Correia-Afonso, the legendary advocate from the ‘garden’ village of Benaulim.
The complaint states, "In my notice dated December 30, 2008, my clients had requested you to initiate action against the village panchayat within 15 days. Inspite of the passage of six months from the date of notice, no response or communication has been received from you.'' The legal notice has brought to the fore the functioning of the Benaulim panchayat and its "failure to carry out any worthwhile work leading to hardship for the people. My clients request that the village panchayat be placed under suspension and its duties be entrusted to an administrator till the completion of inquiry.'' Smt. Shabari Manjrekar said she would inquire into the charges of irregularities besides finding out the role played by the block development officer in the matter of granting leave to the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch on the day the Gram Sabha was convened. The officer noted that a detailed report will be submitted to the Director so he could take necessary action if the charges were found true. The notice states that the Benaulim Panchayat has not yet convened a meeting of the ward development committee. It highlighted the deficiency in convening only two ordinary gram sabhas against the stipulated four. The meeting scheduled for July was convened in August last year but held in October, while the October gram sabha was not held. Similarly, the January 2009 Gram Sabha was convened in March. No proposals were discussed and the April Gram Sabha was not convened. Moreover, seven fortnightly meetings were held in ten months against the stipulated 20. The charges also include Gram Sabhas adjourned arbitrarily on three occasions without the consent of the Gram Sabha members and a 2-3 week gap between meetings, time wasting tactics and failure to give satisfactory answers. Advocate Anacleto Viegas also served the legal notice to the Block Development Office informing them, "Please note that this as our last and final notice and if action is not forthcoming from your end, the matter shall be referred to the high court on completion of 15 days from the receipt of the notice.''

The villagers later met the District Collector Mr. G. P. Naik who promised to refer the matter to the Chief Secretary for immediate action.

The villagers then marched to the office of the Block Development Office only to find both BDO’s absent. The villagers who were a bit disappointed were addressed by Mr. Seby Fernandes, Convener of BVAC infront of the BDO’s office. Geraldine pointed out that the Panchayat was instigating the people to come out on the streets and agitate, whilst appealing to the Sarpanch to step down gracefully and save Benaulim from destruction. The villagers were also addressed by Mr. Benny Fernandes.

The villagers later dispersed, vowing to take the fight to its logical conclusion, no matter what it takes.