The High Court's order revoking construction license issued by Mollem Panchayat to the Tamnar Power Project transmission line substation at Sangod comes as a major embarrassment to local panchayat and the government. It goes to show how despotic the system is. It has come to light that the Sarpanch issued permission without placing the file before the panchayat body for a resolution, clearing indicating that statutory procedures were bypassed. Illegality has been clearly established, but, given the political undercurrents, it farfetched to expect the director of panchayats to initiate action in the matter.
It is also surprising that an illegal panchayat licence, which did not have the mandate of members, stood valid before authorities helping the government push through with its project. The very fact that the Sarpanch has violated norms while granting licence goes to show that it was a unilateral decision. So, if the licencing process had to be hushed up, where is the argument of the majority supporting the project? All the talk of unanimous support to the power transmission and highway expansion projects appear to be an illusion created to scuttle protests across the State. If there is unanimity in the village, there would be no question of bypassing procedures.
On the contrary, since this was a contentious project, there was all the more reason for caution with compliances. By cutting through norms, the nexus of the panchayat and the lobby that is backing these projects are exposed. Giving the allegiance of panchayat members, the passing of resolution may be a foregone conclusion now. Still, the incident has set a bad precedent where the Sarpanch bent the rules to satisfy the government.
Understandably people of Sangod have given their nod to the project on the basis of job assurances, and with the hope of better electricity supply and aache din. Those backing the project did so because they had a different perspective. However, that doesn't stop other Goans from raising the issue. Irrespective on which side of the fence the panchayat members or locals are aligned, every single Goan has a right to protect the State's environment against rampant destruction, no matter what the promises of the government are.
The 400 kV power line between Sangod and Karnataka goes through a thickly forested area of around 1.15 lakh sqm. It will require felling of thousands of trees from the protected area largely disturbing the environment and biodiversity of the area. This is a State issue, and people across Goa have an equal right to stand up and raise their voices. On Monday, youth have petitioned the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and activists of Goyant Kolso Naka held a protest at the Forest Headquarters at Altinho. The question is whether the government is ready to listen.
