Villagers flag demolition fears, NDZ farmhouses and impact on landowners; question intent and legality
Gram sabha members of Nuvem panchayat making a point on the housing project at Kirbhat ward at the meeting on Sunday.
MARGAO
Central government’s 3D NAKSHA land survey proposed in Nuvem village came under strong opposition at the gram sabha meeting of Nuvem panchayat on Sunday.
In fact, at the gram sabha meeting chaired by sarpanch Freda D’Sa, agitated gram sabha members adopted a resolution to drop the land survey proposed by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Record along with Margao Municipality area.
Gram sabha member Jose Roque Andrade set the ball rolling on the controversial issue by raising a host of questions, seeking clarifications on the merits and demerits of 3D survey. He demanded to know whether the 3D land survey will be used for further official purpose and the survey will render the 50 years old surveys redundant.
He further sought clarifications whether the survey will record all illegal houses/ encroachments and whether they would be demolished, especially farmhouses in No Development Zone.
Andrade further questioned whether the Centre’s scheme for digital 3D land survey requires a minimum threshold of Municipal area and population, which Goa’s cities do not meet.“As the surrounding villages of Municipality are surveyed, will they merge in Municipality area to fulfil the above requirement,” he asked with a further question whether the government intends to appropriate vacant or inherited land through the Escheats Act, 2024 and is this ‘survey initiative’ an exercise in that direction.
Gram sabha members further questioned whether the survey will benefit the villagers, land owners, real estate developers, TCP, panchayat or any other agency/ agencies, please be specified. Incidentally, members sought to know why other villages of Nuvem constituency have not been considered for the survey.
Zarina D’Cunha raised the issue of the function of the different committees. She asked the panch members in anguish whether they have read atleast 10 pages of the Panchayat Raj Act.
Meanwhile, Jose Roque Andrade pointed an issue that has been raised in multiple gram sabhas before on various gaddas propping up on the roads, causing traffic jams and unwanted accident.
After discussion, members proposed that in case the panchayat cannot solve the problem and nuisance created by gaddas and other roadside vendors, then the panchayat should write to Traffic Police Department and PWD, for the removal of the gaddas.
Pausilipo Dourado wanted the panchayat to follow up on an earlier resolution of de-notifying the old NH17 Highway from Fr Agnel to Goa Rajee Honda showroom.
Gram sabha passes resolution against mega projects in Kirbhat
MARGAO: Gram sabha members from the Kirbhat ward raised the issue of the mega project proposed in the locality.
They demanded to know how the housing project was approved by the panchayat when the road is just 3.5 metre, while the TCP document shows a six-metre road.
They further demanded to know whether the panchayat had done an inspection to find out the width of the existing road leading to the project site.
The sarpanch explained that the proposed project has been scrapped since the builder has agreed not to pursue the housing project.
After much discussion, a resolution was passed against mega projects in the area, with the sarpanch assuring the members that she would stand by the villagers.
Member Everson Vales bought up the issue of carrying capacity of Nuvem village. He said if the panchayat is serious about the issue of carrying capacity why was the permission issued in the Khirbat case.
