Puts onus on govt to expedite procurement process
MAPUSA
In a major breakthrough for Bardez's long-pending demand for a Ravindra Bhavan, the Cunchelim comunidade on Sunday unanimously approved the outright acquisition of 36,208 square metres of its land for the project, effectively pushing the onus onto the State government to move forward.
The extraordinary general body meeting of the comunidade saw full support from its shareholders, who resolved to allot the land to the Directorate of Art and Culture at government-approved market rates.
The cost of land acquisition itself is estimated to touch ₹65 crore.
“We have done our part by passing this resolution unanimously. Now, the government must act swiftly to bring the project to life,” said Michael Carrasco, Attorney of the Cunchelim comunidade.
The Directorate of Art and Culture had previously required a formal resolution from the comunidade to proceed with the project.
The green signal from the comunidade now removes a major hurdle that had delayed the cultural centre’s development for nearly three years.
While Ravindra Bhavans – cultural centres aimed at promoting theatre, music, dance and other art forms – have already been established in several rural talukas across Goa, Bardez has notably lagged behind for over a decade.
Initial plans to construct the Ravindra Bhavan near the Bodgeshwar Temple had to be shelved after several farmers opposed the move and refused to part with their agricultural land.
The dispute eventually ended up in litigation, forcing the government to reconsider the location.
The Cunchelim comunidade land was then identified as a suitable site. However, bureaucratic delays and lack of consensus between the comunidade and the Directorate had stalled progress until now.
Now that the comunidade has cleared the land acquisition process, the ball is in the government’s court.
It remains to be seen whether the Directorate of Art and Culture and the State cabinet will expedite the procurement process and greenlight the construction without further procedural hiccups.
“If the government truly values decentralised cultural growth, this is the time to act. We hope there will be no more back-and-forth,” Carrasco said.
For now, the people of Bardez can look forward with cautious optimism, as the long-awaited cultural hub inches closer to becoming a reality.
