the goan I network
MARGAO
The Betalbatim gram sabha on Sunday witnessed an uproar over a hotel project coming up in the village with gram sabha unanimously adopting a resolution against the hotel project and other mega housing projects in the village.
The gram sabha resolved that the Panchayat should scrap the hotel project, adding that the Panchayat should not approve any mega housing projects in the future.
In fact, the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda saw the gram sabha members seeking the views of each of the panch members present for the meeting as they raised issues concerning the pathway and other related issues.
As the gram sabha members sought the individual opinion of all the seven panch members, as many as six panchayat members, including the Sarpanch publicly announced that they are opposed to the hotel project, while one member said he will go by the documents of the project.
Members told the Panchayat members, including the Sarpanch that they will not keep quite if the Panchayat bulldozes their way with the hotel project.
When the Sarpanch requested the members to take their seat, they demanded to know whether such a major project was placed before the gram sabha for a decision. They claimed that the gram sabha had in past resolved that all mega housing projects should be mandatorily placed before the gram sabha before any decision is taken by the Panchayat.
When a gram sabha member posed a question to the Sarpanch to express his opinion about the hotel project, Miranda said he will not support a project which is opposed by the villagers.
The Sarpanch also told the members that the Panchayat has not yet granted construction license for the project.
At this juncture, the gram sabha members told the Sarpanch that the villagers will handle the issue legally if the project promoters go to the higher Panchayat authorities.
When the Secretary pointed out that the plans and approvals have to be granted as per the Supreme Court ruling, gram sabha members said the villagers are the best judges what is good for the people at large, demanding to know whether the government of the day has implemented the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in letter and spirit.
