the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Aldona sarpanch was caught on the wrong foot on Sunday after locals “exposed” the plan of the panchayat to quietly convert the agricultural land opposite the St Thomas Girls High School at Goddar, in Aldona into a commercial zone.
The Aldona panchayat had called for an extra-ordinary gram sabha on Sunday to discuss the gram panchayat development plan (GPDP) but instead of deliberating on the plan the focus turned into the panchayat’s decision to convert agricultural land into commercial ostensibly to set up a market project in the village.
A local, Savio Rodrigues set the ball rolling questioning the Sarpanch, Francis D’Souza whether the panchayat had applied for conversion of the land opposite the school.
Rodrigues informed the gram sabha that the Town and Country Planning department had recently issued a notice which showed that the Aldona panchayat had applied for conversion of the said land.
“You said that the land does not belong to you. Then how can you apply for conversion of someone else’s land?” Rodrigues questioned the sarpanch.
Another villager, Oldrin Pereira pitched in stating that the panchayat did not own an inch of land in the village and there was no question of panchayat acquiring the land.
“The panchayat does not own an inch of land in the village. Can the panchayat take a decision without taking the people into confidence? Panchayat is like a migrant in this village,” Pereira said.
The sarpanch, who was caught off guard on the issue, expressed his ignorance about the project and even of the conversion of the land.
The principal of the St Thomas Girls High School and some parents were also present for the gram sabha.
Recently, Aldona MLA, Glen Ticlo had spoken about his plans to set up a new market complex in the village.
The new market project is expected to come up on an area of around 6,000 sq mts of land at Goddar, opposite the St Thomas Girls High School in Aldona.
Incidentally, the management of the school has opposed the project which would distract the children studying there.
Facing the heat from the locals, the sarpanch appealed to the villagers to come up with proposals for the GPDP and quickly wound up the meeting.
Only around eight members of the village development committee out of 25 were present for the gram sabha to discuss the GPDP.
