MARGAO
Velim MLA Cruz Silva commenced a series of meetings with elected panchayat members and residents across the constituency on Monday to discuss the government's notification concerning Non-Developable Areas (NDA).
The initiative aims to understand the concerns of the people, assess the likely impact of the notification on individual landowners and villages, and formulate a collective response based on public feedback.
The first round of meetings was held with the panchayats of Velim and Chinchinim, where panchayat members and affected residents shared their concerns and sought clarity on various aspects of the notification.
Speaking during the meetings, MLA Silva said that the objective is to ensure that every affected citizen gets an opportunity to voice their concerns before any further course of action is decided.
“As public representatives, it is our responsibility to listen to the people and safeguard their legitimate interests. The notification has raised several questions among landowners and residents, and these concerns deserve to be heard and addressed through a transparent process,” he said.
The MLA said that meetings will be conducted with all eight panchayats in the Velim constituency over the course of this week. The consultation schedule covers the panchayats of Velim, Sarzora, Assolna, Ambelim, Chinchinim, Sirlim-Dramapur, and Sao Jose de Areal.
In addition to the meetings, the MLA's office has begun collecting written objections, representations and suggestions from affected residents. These objections will be compiled and submitted to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department as part of the public consultation process.
Silva stated that after completing the meetings in all eight panchayats and analysing the concerns received from the public, a comprehensive strategy and further course of action will be decided in consultation with the people.
He appealed to all affected landowners and residents to actively participate in the meetings, submit their objections within the stipulated period, and ensure that their views are formally placed before the competent authorities.
The MLA reiterated that the entire exercise is aimed at protecting the interests of the people through democratic consultation and by ensuring that every genuine concern is represented before the government.
