THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Under mounting political pressure over its move to revisit the declaration of 56 villages as urban areas, the Goa government on Saturday withdrew the controversial communication sent to village panchayats, effectively halting the exercise with immediate effect.
In a fresh communication to the Director of Panchayats, the Revenue Department said, "I am directed to invite your kind attention to the letter cited above and to state that the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect."
The withdrawn letter pertained to the proposed notification of urban areas in the State and came barely a day after the government sought to defuse the controversy by assuring that no village would be declared an urban area without consulting the respective panchayat.
Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserratte had on Friday said the government would take an appropriate decision only after holding consultations with the concerned village panchayats and considering their views.
The rollback follows sharp criticism from Opposition parties, which alleged that the exercise was aimed at changing the character of Goa's villages and facilitating large-scale construction.
Reacting to the withdrawal, the Congress termed it a victory for the people of Goa, the village communities, panchayats, and every citizen who stood up to protect Goa's identity.
"The BJP has been forced to withdraw its notification on the proposal to declare villages as urban areas. We welcome the decision but will remain vigilant against any future attempt to impose urbanisation without the consent of the people. Goa's villages are not for sale," the party said.
Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai also claimed victory, saying the government's decision came after his party warned of a statewide mobilisation against the proposal.
"Victory for every Goemkar. Following our ultimatum to mobilise villages across the State, the government has officially withdrawn the controversial urban areas notification with immediate effect. Let this be a reminder to never underestimate the voice of Niz Goemkar," he said.
The controversy erupted after Block Development Officers, acting on directions from the Revenue Department, circulated a communication in May seeking the views of village panchayats on a January 27, 2020 notification that had designated 56 villages across Goa as urban areas under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.
The list covered villages across Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim, Sattari, Tiswadi, Ponda, Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem and Sanguem talukas.
Monserrate had said the matter resurfaced after the Taleigao Village Panchayat represented that it fulfilled the criteria of a Census Town. He said the government had therefore sought the views of other panchayats covered under the 2020 notification before taking any final decision. However, with Saturday's withdrawal, that consultation process has now been discontinued.
