MARGAO
Betalbatim gram sabha witnessed an uproar over the controversial draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) with members terming the process set in motion by the government agencies as illegal and in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification 2019.
After much discussions, the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Anthony Fernandes resolved to demand a fresh public notice of at least 60 days. They further demanded expert explanation of the draft maps and report by calling for a special gram sabha, saying the local residents cannot interpret the technical maps without expert assistance.
“Once the maps are made available, a qualified representatives of the authorities must attend the special gram sabha meeting to explain the CZMP/reports”, gram sabha members demanded.
The members were unanimous in their stand that the six-day notice period issued by the Salcete Block Development officer to the Panchayat secretaries is in violation of the CRZ notification 2019.
“Goa is a coastal state and over 100 panchayats out of the 190 pancahayts in the state are affected by the CRZ. The correct demarcation of the houses, livelihood, traditional rights and environmental features in the CZMP is critical for the survival of the villages for the well being of the local population and environment of the state of Goa”, gram sabha members further stated.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha discussed a host of issues, including the issue of migrants loitering in the village during late hours, their tenant verification forms and how to make ID cards for the migrants putting up in the village.
Sarpanch Anthony later told the media that the panchayat had no update of the presence of the migrants in the village. He said the Panchayat has no started an initiated to update the details of the migrants with the help of the police, saying that the Panchayat will issue ID cards for the migrants after updating the records.
The gram sabha also discussed a host of issues including CCTV cameras, draft village plan prepared by an agency for the panchayat, inspections conducted by the Panchayat etc.
