the goan I network
MARGAO
Government’s 16-B amendment to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and the conversion of huge properties from orchard to settlement based on the amendment came in for strong opposition at the Sao Jose de Areal gram sabha on Sunday.
Members asserted that they will oppose tooth and nail the TCP Board’s plan to convert thousands of orchard land into settlement zone.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Perry Da Costa also saw the gram sabha members opposing double tracking of the South Western Railway, including the proposal to build a second platform in the village.
Members also opposed acquisition of land of the villagers for the double tracking project.
On the 16-B amendment, agitated gram sabha members objected to the conversion of two huge properties, including the property from orchard to settlement in the village.
Members feared that the conversion of the orchard properties into settlement will invite mega housing projects and hordes of outsiders into the village.
Members led by Freddy Travasso demanded that the TCP and other authorities should justify the conversion of the orchard lands into settlement by producing before the people relevant documents showing that these properties were settlement in the 2001 Regional Plan.
The members told the sarpanch that the panchayat should immediately write to the TCP Board with their objection to the conversion of the orchard land into settlement.
When Travasso raised a point pertaining to the State Highway, gram sabha members said they will strongly oppose the same if it is shown passing from Davorlim to Padribhat via the internal wards pf the village.
The double-tracking of the South Western Railway passing through Sao Jose de Areal also figured prominently at the gram sabha, with members urging the panchayat to send a show-cause notice-cum-stop work order to the railways to stop the double tracking work. The members have also opposed the consent sought by the Railway Vikas Nigam Ltd for procurement of additional land in the village for the project.
Though the railways has maintained that they are carrying out the ongoing works of double tracking within their property, gram sabha members demanded that it should produce the ownership documents of the property before continuing with the project.
Sarpanch Perry later told the media that the panchayat would write to the railways and the panchayat and district authorities about the demand made by the members.
