MARGAO
Even as the villagers of Betalbatim and Majorda have united against the plan to convert paddy fields admeasuring 46,000 square meters in their villages for a hotel project, Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa said that he would oppose any plans to convert the agricultural fields into settlement.
The Nuvem MLA pointed out that he has found out from the office of the Deputy Chief Minister and TCP Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar that applications have been made for the conversion of the fields into settlement.
“Soon after my attention was drawn to the issue, I immediately got in touch with the OSD to the Deputy CM, only to confirm that such applications for conversion were made,” D’Sa said.
He promised to soon lead a delegation to the Deputy CM with a memorandum opposing any move to convert the fields into settlement.
“After a meeting of the villagers from the two villages on Sunday, Betalbatim Sarpanch Constancio Miranda spoke to me over the phone. I told the Sarpanch to prepare a memorandum and submit the same to me which would be forwarded to the Deputy CM for necessary action,” D’Sa said. Both Betalbatim and Majorda villages are part of the Nuvem constituency represented by the Congress-turned-BJP MLA.
After the meeting on Saturday, villagers from both Majorda and Betalbatim had resolved to undertake a signature campaign before intensifying the ongoing agitation.
