MAPUSA
While resolutions passed by gram sabhas opposing land-use changes under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act are not legally binding on the government, they are increasingly influencing the decision-making process within the TCP Department.
Sources in the department have confirmed that the TCP Board has, in several instances, kept proposals for land-use conversion under Section 39A in abeyance after taking note of objections raised by village panchayats.
The development comes amid growing resistance to the controversial provision, with an increasing number of gram sabhas across Goa passing resolutions seeking either the repeal of Section 39A or opposing specific land-use changes proposed in their villages.
"Every resolution received from a village panchayat is placed before the TCP Board for consideration. The Board deliberates on each matter and takes an appropriate decision on a case-to-case basis," a senior TCP Department source told The Goan.
The source said that although gram sabha resolutions do not automatically invalidate approvals or bind the Board, they form part of the material placed before members while considering proposals.
"There have been instances where the Board has decided not to proceed with certain land-use conversion proposals after taking into account the objections raised by the concerned gram sabhas. Wherever survey numbers and specific parcels of land have been identified by the panchayats, those objections receive closer scrutiny," the source said.
The official, however, clarified that each proposal is examined on its own merits and no blanket policy has been adopted to reject or approve applications solely on the basis of gram sabha resolutions.
The latest round of opposition came on Sunday when the gram sabhas of Aldona, Candolim and Pomburpa unanimously passed resolutions rejecting Section 39A and opposing any land-use changes in their respective villages.
In some villages, the resolutions have gone a step further by identifying specific survey numbers where conversions should not be permitted.
Over the past few weeks, several other village panchayats in both North and South Goa have adopted similar resolutions and forwarded them to the TCP Department, the Directorate of Panchayats and other authorities concerned.
The coordinated opposition reflects growing public concern over the use of Section 39A, which empowers the TCP Board to amend Regional Plans in certain cases. Critics contend that the provision has facilitated land-use changes without adequate public consultation, while the government has maintained that the mechanism is intended to address genuine planning requirements.
With more gram sabhas expected to deliberate on the issue in the coming weeks, the resolutions are likely to continue placing pressure on the TCP Board as it weighs future land conversion proposals under the contentious provision.
