THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
For the second time in as many weeks, the contentious Sec 39-A provisions and notifications concerning No Development Zones (NDZ) dominated proceedings at the Benaulim Gram Sabha, with villagers reaffirming their opposition to any move that could alter the status of agricultural lands.
After an extraordinary Gram Sabha held the previous Sunday unanimously opposed the Sec 39-A provisions and NDZ notifications, members once again ratified the earlier resolution during Sunday's meeting, underscoring the village's firm stand against the proposed changes.
Resolutions adopted by the Gram Sabha reveal that members have rejected all proposals seeking the conversion of agricultural land into settlement zones and have demanded that the existing land-use classifications be retained.
The Gram Sabha also objected to and rejected the proposal notified under Notification No. 36/18/39A Notification (61)/TCP/2026/455 dated June 3, 2026, issued by the Chief Town Planner (Planning), Department of Town and Country Planning. Members further resolved to oppose any similar proposals, whether past or future, that could affect the village's agricultural and ecologically sensitive areas.
Gram Sabha member Rudolf Barretto said the Panchayat had been directed to submit written objections to the Chief Town Planner, the Town and Country Planning Department, and other concerned authorities within the stipulated timeframe.
"We have instructed the Panchayat to file written objections and take all necessary steps, including legal recourse if required, to protect Benaulim's paddy fields, water bodies and other eco-sensitive areas," Barretto said.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has cautioned the people to remain alert, saying reclassification or zone change would lead to irreversible damage to the village’s agricultural land, water bodies, biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and traditional livelihood of farmers, which is against the spirit of environmental protection, sustainable development, and the powers and duties of the Gram Sabha under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994;
In fact, he tabled a resolution demanding that the paddy fields continue to remain protected, as they have been prior to the notification and under the full safeguards of the Goa (Restriction of Transfer of Agricultural Land) Act, 2023, without any dilution through undefined categories like NDA.
