MARGAO
Builders, promoters and developers beware. Planning to buy land in Betalbatim village in Salcete Taluka. You may have to buy it at your own risk.
This warning is conveyed loud and clear through a banner/board issued by the gram sabha members of Betalbatim village panchayat.
The message on the banner is clear that the village has exhausted its resources and that the village carrying capacity has been exceeded.
Explaining the objective behind the banner, Betalbatim Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes said the boards have been erected by the Panchayat body as per the gram sabha resolution adopted at the last gram sabha.
He said the Panchayat is also of the opinion that the village carrying capacity such as water and electricity is on the scanner with a number of housing projects proposed by builders. "People buy land in Betalbatim at a huge cost. On the other hand, locals are opposed to mega housing projects because the village carrying capacity has exceeded", he said.
The issue had figured at the gram sabha when members questioned the Sarpanch as to why the Panchayat did not mention its name on the banner.
The Sarpanch pointed out that the Panchayat cannot issue such a warning, but hastened to add that the banner was erected by the Panchayat as per the gram sabha resolution.
He told the media that the Panchayat has so far refused permissions for around five housing projects, including projects proposed with swimming pools.
