PERNEM
Morjim Sarpanch Shanti Poke has assured the villagers that the panchayat will not allow mega residential projects in the village starting from now and in future and also support opposition to such projects.
She was speaking during the special Morjim gram sabha called on Sunday.
A construction company had sought NoC from the panchayat to construct villas at Varchawada. It had also attached NOCs from TCP, Health Department and Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to the file.
There was a big ruckus over the issue in the earlier gram sabha and the sarpanch had promised to hold a special gram sabha on June 10.
The villagers bitterly opposed the project citing lack of basic facilities such as water and electricity coupled with narrow roads in the village.
However, Panchayat Secretary Vijay Tilve contended that the project had already received approval from
TCP, Health Department and GSPCB.
Not happy with Tilve’s contention, a villager Santosh Shetgaonkar said Morjim village does not have proper infrastructure and the roads were narrow.
“The power supply to the village is not normal and people have to struggle for water. Such projects are not welcome in the village,” he added.
Shree Devi Morjai Temple Committee president Gopal Shetgaonkar said the land belongs to the temple committee and the committee members are opposed to the project.
A villager questioned, “There are around 70 coconut trees on the project land. Who has given permission to fell these trees? Did TCP conduct a survey of this land and trees?”
Another villager charged many actors, cricketers and businessmen are illegally constructing huge bungalows in the pretext of farm houses in the hilly regions of Morjim. He said villagers oppose these constructions.
The villagers also demanded that the panchayat authorities make their stand clear on the project.
The sarpanch and panchas assured they will stand by the villagers in opposing such projects in future.
Deputy Sarpanch Amit Shetgaonkar, panchas Vilas Morje, Tushar Shetgaonkar, Mukesh Gadekar, Prakash Shirodkar and Sampada Shetgaonkar also attended the gram sabha.
