MARGAO
The Benaulim gram sabha on Sunday has objected to the recent amendment brought by the government empowering the Chief Town Planners to effect changes in the Regional Plan.
The gram sabha has also objected to the government’s notification empowering the taluka BDOs to issue the construction licence, saying this notification has been issued to benefit the real estate developers.
The gram sabha has further demanded to revoke the DPR granted by the Centre to Karnataka to start work on the Khalasa and Bhandura projects.
Saying the amendment leaves room for manipulation against the village planning and dilutes the role of the panchayat towards deciding the type of sustainable development required in the village, the gram sabha has unanimously resolved to object to the notification. The resolution tabled by member Charles D’Silva has further requested the government to revoke the notification and to work towards a village-centric consultative regional plan.
The meeting chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira discussed the budget estimates and adopt the budget for the 2023-24 financial year after clarifications.
While opposing the government’s amendment giving powers to the BDOs, members pointed out there was no need for the government to take over the panchayat powers. If there have been any instances of the panchayats playing truant, the solution lies in giving exemplary punishment to the erring panchayats and not by taking away their powers under the Goa Panchayati Raj Act.
Gram sabha member Rudolf Baretto pointed out that the amendment will benefit the builders in a big way as the BDO will take over the panchayat powers for whatever reasons.
On the controversial Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), the members pointed out that notified plans have not done away with the discrepancies pointed out by the villagers. They demanded that the government appoint a resource person to carry out geo mapping and identify the differences before preparing a new document.
Sarpanch Xavier informed the gram sabha that the panchayat has dashed off a letter to the Fisheries Department to allot land admeasuring 10,000 square metres at the defunct Benaulim prawn hatchery to set up a fish market for the traditional fishermen and to anchor their boats during the monsoons.
Bypass: P’yat resolves to move HC once hydrology report is received
MARGAO: The controversial western bypass issue figured at the Benaulim gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira.
When the issue came for discussion, members were informed that the panchayat would move the High Court no sooner the preliminary report concerning hydrology is received by the body.
Members expressed concern that land filling for the western bypass passing through Benaulim village is going on a fast pace, with members raising fears that construction of the bypass without stilts may inundate the village in the future.
