MARGAO
The Benaulim gram sabha on Sunday took the panchayat to task over the inordinate delay in identifying and razing down the road side illegal structures as per the High Court order.
The gram sabha also reiterated its opposition to 39-A by ratifying the resolution adopted at the extra ordinary gram sabha meeting of the Panchayat held last Sunday.
At the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, gram sabha members demanded to know the status of the High Court order directing the village panchayats to identify and raze down all road side illegal structures.
Gram sabha member Rudolf Barretto set the ball rolling when he questioned the sarpanch over the delay of one year by the panchayat to conduct the survey. When the sarpanch replied that the panchayat had conducted the survey and has filed a report in the High Court, Barretto demanded to know how many road side encroachments and structures have been demolished by the panchayat till date. Pointing out that the road side encroachments which hamper traffic movement in the busy village roads, the gram sabha members demanded action by the panchayat on priority.
The sarpanch assured the members that the panchayat would start the inspections on Monday and complete the same at the earliest before taking up the demolition drive.
The meeting also saw discussions on Section 39A of the TCP Act after members pointed out that fields had been converted by the government. The sarpanch later told the media that the panchayat would challenge the conversions in the High Court.
Activist Santan Pereira also raised a host of issues at the meeting, including the illegal scrapyards operating in the village. The sarpanch replied back saying the panchayat would identify the yards to ascertain whether they have permissions to run the business.
Meanwhile, former Sarpanch Agnelo Fernandes moved a resolution at the gram sabha with a proposal to constitute an award in memory of environmental activist late Roque Fernandes.
