the goan I network
MARGAO
In a major decision that has given clear indications that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) is not in any haste to acquire land for the kabrastan project at Sirvodem-Margao, the PDA on Friday resolved to utilize the Rs 15 crore government grant for the burial ground to develop the wholesale fish market.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who is a member of the PDA, has expressed his opposition to the transfer of the kabrastan grant for the wholesale fish market development, asserting that the Rs 15 crore grant cannot be used for any other purpose than the purpose for which it was sanctioned.
SGPDA Chairman, MLA Wilfred D’Sa, however, said that the PDA is firm in its decision, given that there are strong objections raised over the proposal to acquire land for the controversial kabrastan in the densely populated area at Sirvodem.
“Given that the Rs 15 crore funds were sanctioned by the government for land acquisition for the proposed burial grounds, the PDA has decided to send the proposal to the TCP Board to utilize the sanctioned funds for the development of the wholesale fish market,” Wilfred said.
When it was pointed out that the Rs 15 crore grant was given by the government to acquire land for the kabrastan, Wilfred was quick to point out the agitation to the kabrastan project not only from the residents of Sirvodem, but surrounding villages.
He, however, hastened to add that the SGPDA has not scrapped the kabrastan project as yet, but has only decided to transfer the Rs 15 crore grant towards the development of the wholesale fish market.
When The Goan drew his attention to the previous decision of the SGPDA to set up a panel to study the objections raised in various quarters to the proposed burial grounds, Wilfred said the committee is in place, but no final decision has been taken to scrap the kabrastan. “In future if the PDA takes a decision in favour of the burial ground, the government can be approached again to sanction the funds,” he added.
To another question, the SGPDA Chairman pointed out that the PDA has taken a decision to utilize the Rs 15 crore grant for the wholesale fish market development after discussing the matter with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai, during his stint as TCP Minster in the Manohar Parrikar coalition government had decided to shift the kabrastan site from Sonsodo falling in Fatorda constituency to Sirvodem in Margao, following strong objections from the residents of Fatorda.
While the Margao municipality had initially decided to acquire the land at Sirvodem for the proposed kabrastan under the guise of public utility purpose, the government later decided to execute the project through the Town and Country Planning Department due to Sardesai’s intervention.
