Nuvem meeting turns stormy over issue of show cause notices to 14 Pateapur houses

Gram sabha members on their toes at the Nuvem meeting held on Sunday during discussions on the show cause notices issued to the 14 houses.

MARGAO

The gram sabha of Nuvem village Panchayat turned stormy over the issue of show cause notices served on the owners of the 14 houses located in the Pateapur area of the village.

Gram sabha members also raised the issue of village carrying capacity in view of housing projects taking shape in the village.

At the gram sabha meeting chaired by Sarpanch Freda D’Sa on Sunday, former Sarpanch Pausilipo Dourado raised the issue of show cause notices issued to the 14 houses at Pateapur. Owners of the 14 houses and their families members who attended the meeting made a plea to the Sarpanch against the demolition of the houses.

Heated arguments were witnessed between Dourado and the Sarpanch over the issue. Heated exchanges also ensued between Dourado and the Panchayat members during discussion on the show cause notices.

Sarpanch Freda clarified that the issue had been pending since 2022 till date, adding that matter has now reached the High Court. Saying that she had tried to personally help the local families in the recent past, the Sarpanch, however, reminded that the matter is presently sub judice and it would not be proper for the Sarpanch to make comments on the issue at the gram sabha.

After much discussion, Pausilipo Dourado tabled a resolution not to demolish the 14 houses, saying these houses have been in existence for more than three generations.

Dourado also brought to the notice of the Panchayat of an ancestral cross demolished by PWD road works contractor near Laxmi Tiles. After discussion, a resolution was taken to reinstate the cross at the exact same location, with members saying the demolition of the Cross has hurt the religious sentiments of the Catholic community in Nuvem village.

Gram sabha member Jose Roque Andrade raised the issue of mushrooming gaddas along the road side, causing nuisance for bikes and Car traveling on the roads.

A resolution was passed to inquire into the issue with members requesting the Panchayat to make a list of all Gadas and mobile vans and also find out if they are run by local Nuvemkars or by migrants.

Another Gram sabha member pointed out there is no provision to sublet gada to others -- specially migrants, and the panchayat should keep a close eye on this. 

The issue of carrying capacity was raised again at the gram sabha meeting, the third time in as many meetings. Zarina D’Cunha underscored the need for proper planner, pointing out that the carrying capacity of Nuvem Village is already exhausted, causing harmful effect on the environment.

Zarina said the carrying capacity of Nuvem needs to be seriously noted and suitable resolutions to be passed with reference to food, water, waste management and power sufficiency besides other essential infrastructure.