MARGAO
The Betalbatim gram sabha on Sunday adopted a unanimous resolution opposing the conversion of paddy fields in the village.
The issue figured prominently at the sabha chaired by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda where members pointed out that outsiders are purchasing village
paddy fields with the intention of converting them into settlement areas.
They demanded that the panchayat should not issue any NOC to the conversion of paddy fields into settlement areas.
While adopting the resolution, Sarpanch Miranda made a fervent plea to the villagers not to sell their paddy fields, pointing out that the purchasers are burying the fields with the intention of initiating activities on the land.
The sarpanch later told the media that he has made an appeal to the people, especially the farmers, to save and protect their land and not to put the panchayat in a problematic situation by selling their land.
“Those who are buying the paddy and low-lying fields are doing so for a certain purpose, to fill up the land in future to take up some activity,” he said and appealed to the farmers not to sell their fields.
The panchayat also discussed the issue of utilization of the government’s promised Rs 50 lakh Liberation Day funds to the panchayats to take up development works in the villages.
During discussions, a number of suggestions were put forth by the members, with some demanding utilization of the funds to build a walking track surrounding the local playground, while others said a part of the fund should be earmarked to set up Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to resolve the garbage issue. There was another suggestion, wherein a member proposed utilization of the Liberation funds to build a market.
The sarpanch assured the members that the panchayat would list out the proposals and prioritize these before sending them to the government.
