Members insist on GCZMA, TCP presence before discussing CRZ-linked development proposals
Officials of Goa Tourism Development Corporation leaving the Colva gram sabha meeting after members insisted on the participation of GCZMA and TCP officials during the powerpoint presentation on the proposed tourism development plan.
MARGAO
Agitated members of the Colva village panchayat on Sunday got the presentation of the Colva tourism plan postponed after they protested over the absence of officials of agencies such as Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and Town and Country Planning (TCP) department.
A team of officials of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), which had come for the meeting to hold the presentation on the tourism plan were told to hold the presentation in the presence of GCZMA and TCP officials.
Given the situation, Sarpanch Tereza Fernandes assured the agitated members that the panchayat would call for a special gram sabha to discuss the tourism development plan by inviting officials of the GTDC, GCZMA and the TCP.
At the Sunday gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Tereza, members questioned the Chair over the absence of the GCZMA and TCP officials for the presentation on the tourism plan.
Gram sabha member Judith Almeida informed the Chair that the members had specifically told the panchayat to invite officials of the GTDC, GCZMA and the TCP during the powerpoint presentation on the tourism plan. She said though the plan is being prepared by the Tourism Department, the GCZMA and the TCP needs to do a lot of explanation on the proposed tourism development plan in the village.
She said the area in question proposed to be taken up for development under the tourism plan comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone. “We need the GCZMA to explain a host of questions on the proposed project,” she asserted.
Judith along with other members further demanded that the tourism development plan be displayed on the panchayat board for the people to study the proposals.
Colva gram sabha bars villas with swimming pool projects
MARGAO: The gram sabha of Colva village panchayat on Sunday has adopted a resolution not to approve projects with proposals for construction of swimming pools in the village.
They demanded that the authorities have no right to approve plans for swimming pools when local residents do not receive uninterrupted water supply. They also demanded that the panchayat carry out the village carrying capacity.
These issues came up at the gram sabha during discussions on the construction of villas with swimming pools proposed in the village.
The alleged attack on a fisherman by the real estate developer from Noida in the presence of the Colva police also had its echo at the gram sabha with the gram sabha members sending a clear message to the Delhi and Noida builders that they will not remain silent spectators if the local residents and fishermen come under attack.
“We are against the villas with swimming pools proposed in the village as second homes for the people of Delhi. The people of Colva do not receive proper water supply. In such circumstances, we cannot allow swimming pools in the village,” the members said, while demanding an immediate carrying capacity for the village.
Gram sabha member Eulogio Gomes recalled that he had first raised the issue of the villas cum swimming pool project proposed in the Colva fishing ward.
Judith Almeida pointed out that the access of fishermen staying behind the project have been blocked, demanding to know how the fishermen are expected to move in their fishing village, warning that this can take a dangerous turn if the village panchayat does not take any action to protect the rights of fishermen in the fishing ward.
