Goa, July 7 -- In a development village panchayat representa tives described as deeply iron ic, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho has found himself at the centre of a Statewide backlash after questioning how gram sabhas could op pose housing projects that have already secured approv als from various government authorities. For critics, the controver sy goes far beyond a single statement. They say the Min ister's remarks expose the government's continuing attempt to reduce elected village panchayats and gram sabhas to ceremonial bodies while real planning powers steadily shift to bureaucratic departments. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Panjim on Monday, Godinho questioned how gram sab has could object to projects w...