MARGAO
The extraordinary gram sabha of the Loutolim village panchayat on Sunday unanimously resolved that the panchayat immediately challenge before the High Court the notification declaring the project of M/s Venture Building Dream Pvt Ltd to construct an academy and allied sports area in Sy Nos. 323/1-F (Part) and 323/1-D, Loutolim, as an Investment Promotion Area.
At the gram sabha meeting, members further resolved that the village panchayat shall appoint Adv Nigel Da Costa Frias to represent the panchayat before the High Court.
Members also adopted a resolution demanding that the village panchayat fulfil its statutory obligation to demolish the illegal structures constructed for the project.
Members demanded that the village panchayat take up the alleged criminal abuse of powers by the Industries Minister, officials of the Directorate of Industries and GIDC, and project proponent Kamala Prasad Yadav with the appropriate authorities dealing with alleged crimes, corruption and abuse of power by ministers and public authorities, and ensure exemplary punishment.
While condemning the high-handedness of the Industries Minister and the Chief Minister in arbitrarily rejecting the objections filed as insufficient and invalid without providing any justification, the gram sabha demanded that the Loutolim village panchayat ensure that the project proponent restore the land to its original state.
The extraordinary gram sabha was held on Sunday after the government issued a notification declaring the project of M/s Venture Building Dream Pvt Ltd to construct an academy and allied sports area as an Investment Promotion Area, despite objections lodged by the village panchayat and villagers.
At the meeting, members said the declaration of the project as an Investment Promotion Area amounted to granting or facilitating ex-post facto approval, which is impermissible.
They pointed out that the file notings seen by the gram sabha members revealed the “shocking” fact that Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho had allegedly abused his powers by ordering the authorities to issue the declaration of the project area as an Investment Promotion Area without assigning any reasons.
