Goa, Sept. 15 -- The special gram sabha of Majorda-Utorda-Calata on Sunday witnessed tensions after many citizens staged a walkout when told that only the budget would be discussed. Villagers at the outset questioned why regular gram sabhas were not being convened to address their concerns and demanded that objections be taken up before the budget.

Adv Radharao Gracias, former ZP member Nelly Rodrigues and others clarified that the meeting had been called specifically to pass the budget, while Sarpanch Anthea Lynn Pereira explained that approval was urgent as garbage collection dues for the past four months remained unpaid and other expenses had been stalled. She invited objections on the budget alone, reiterating that other matters woul...