Locals question panchayat on licence, oppose smart meters, road widening and push demand for crematorium land
Carambolim local Sunil Naik questioning the panchayat authorities for granting a licence to a mega project near the panchayat at the gram sabha on Sunday.
OLD GOA
The Carambolim gram sabha on Sunday witnessed heated discussion over the licence given to a mega project near the panchayat.
At a well-attended meeting in the panchayat hall, local Sunil Naik raised the issue and questioned the authorities for approving the project, which includes 84 flats, 46 commercial shops and a swimming pool.
When asked, Sarpanch Kushta Salelkar said the panchayat approved the project only after all licences from the concerned authorities were issued. “Further, the panchayat has issued show cause cum stop work notice to the project,” Salelkar stated.
However, Naik asked why this action was taken only after public outcry.
“Was the panchayat not aware that the conversion sanad clearly states that the area is strictly reserved for residential purpose? Was the panchayat not aware that the road is shown as 15 metres on the plan when it is hardly 5 metres?” Naik questioned, adding that now that the project proponent has threatened legal action, panchayat funds would have to be used for the case.
Gram sabha members, however, argued that the legal fees should be paid by the panchayat members who approved the project. To this, Sarpanch Salelkar assured that till his present term ends, he will bear all legal expenses. Former sarpanch Wilson Valladares also assured that if the matter goes up to the Supreme Court, he will cover the legal costs.
The gram sabha also discussed the Bill to regularise illegal structures on Comunidade land. Locals demanded that only structures belonging to Goans, born before 1961, should be regularised. The proposal of the Power Department to install smart meters was also strongly opposed. Locals warned of consequences if the department proceeds with the plan, pointing out that digital meters are already installed and there is no need for smart meters.
Another issue raised was the use of panchayat land for a Hindu crematorium. Several locals supported the demand, but others suggested using the land to build a hall and shops to generate revenue for the panchayat. As no consensus was reached, it was decided to maintain status quo until alternate land is made available for the crematorium.
Villagers also opposed the proposed widening of village roads to 10, 15 and 20 metres, arguing that it would damage residential houses that have existed for generations.
