Comunidade land sale also sparks outcry at gram sabha
MAPUSA
The villagers of Verla-Canca urged the panchayat to involve Village Development Committee (VDC) members in site inspections before issuing construction licenses, to ensure transparency and adherence to village interests.
At the Sunday gram sabha, locals highlighted that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department often lacks ground-level understanding while granting licences to development projects.
Accepting the suggestion, the sarpanch agreed and a resolution was passed to mandate the inclusion of VDC members during inspections for new construction proposals.
Residents also raised strong objections to reports that a large tract of land belonging to the Verla comunidade was being planned for conversion into plots for sale. Local resident Lincoln Braganza cautioned that selling such a vast piece of hill land would set a damaging precedent, destroying Verla’s green hills in violation of the comunidade code.
Verla comunidade president Vivian Pereira, present at the meeting, heard the villagers’ concerns. The gram sabha unanimously resolved against allowing any development of plots on the hill.
The issue of nuisance caused by guest houses was once again raised, with residents complaining about loud music, late-night parties, and disturbances from guests using swimming pools.
Villagers also flagged problems of haphazard parking by tourists, which obstructs traffic and inconveniences pedestrians.
The panchayat resolved to monitor such venues more strictly and to alert the police and relevant authorities for enforcement.
Stray animal menace was another major point of concern, with villagers noting a significant rise in stray dogs, especially in wards 8 and 9. Residents said the situation was endangering both motorists and pedestrians, sometimes even causing accidents.
The sarpanch assured that the panchayat would work on finding a suitable solution.
Additionally, the gram sabha was informed of large trees being felled in properties with survey numbers 69/6 and 69/7.
Villagers questioned whether the necessary permissions had been obtained from the Dy Conservator of Forests, North Goa, or any other authority.
The panchayat assured it would provide the details at the earliest.
