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Loliem-Polem VP 'violating' the law HERALD CORRESPONDENT POINGUINIM, FEB 21 – The Village Panchayat of Loliem-Polem recently published a 'Tender Inviting Notice' pertaining to eleven developmental works — estimated at Rs 15 lakh — that are to be undertaken in various wards. And thanks to the blunder of the concerned authority, the panchayat is richer by over Rs 30,000 at the cost of the contractors who bid for the works. The money they paid for the tender forms is non-refundable. Some of the locals alleged that the Sarpanch of VP Loliem Darshan Prabhugaonkar decided to undertake the 'so-called developmental works' by throwing all the laws to the wind. And according to some of the panch members and the sitting panch member and ex-sarpanch Ajit Lolayekar, proper procedures were not followed while floating the tenders. Lolayekar brought to light that the construction of an open well put up in the tender notice already exists and further reiterated that the owners of the property do not reside at the place. Investigations revealed that the open well already exists and when contacted the sarpanch was unavailable for his comments but staff in the panchayat office when contacted refused to divulge any details. The panchayat in terms of revenue generated through taxes is ranked as 'prosperous and elite' by the State Government and hence is in the picture regularly for being on the wrong side of the law because the panch members, sarpanch and the authorities in recent times are making merry at the cost of the tax payers. The locals showed to this Correspondent a passenger shed recently constructed by the panchayat that is being used as a place to park vehicles of the staff of Damodar Vidyalaya School, Loliem. Photographs clicked showed that the passenger shed was not in conformity with the designs laid by the Directorate of Panchayats but when the engineer attached to the BDO was contacted, he said he needs time to look into the matter. A stage constructed in the courtyard of the panchayat was termed as illegal in the Legislative Assembly about two years ago but it is learnt that the Directorate of Panchayats was compelled and allegedly under political pressure to pay the money to the contractor that amounted to over Rs 3 lakh. -- TUMCHE AXIRVAD ASSUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England