Canacona: Several villagers questioned Poinguinim sarpanch Savita Tawadkar’s absence from Sunday’s gram sabha, which had been announced a month earlier.Locals Deepak Naik, Praveen Bhat, Pranita Bhat and others expressed displeasure over the postponement of the gram sabha.“If the sarpanch can’t make time for gram sabha meeting, she should resign,” said Naik.Panchayat secretary Rajiv Naik Gaonkar proposed to start the gram sabha under deputy sarpanch Sunil Paingankar, but those present objected. They said the gram sabha should be held only when the sarpanch attends it.Bhat hoped the gram sabha would discuss rising illegal constructions, but said it would have to wait until the next meeting.“The sarpanch did not attend the gram sabha because she was scared to face critics,” said Naik.Locals alleged that Tawadkar had neglected her duties as a panchayat member for months. They also said gram sabhas were not held regularly, denying them opportunities to question panchayat members on key public issues. Tawadkar said she missed the gram sabha due to a funeral at Amonem.
