the goan I network
MARGAO
In these Salcete villages, the National Population Register (NPR) may still not be an issue, but opposition is brewing against the government’s recent notification, categorising these villages as urban areas ahead of the census operations.
Around 10 out of the 30 villages in Salcete have been notified as urban areas in the recent notification, triggering opposition in some panchayat bodies, while others have sought clarity from the government over the actual purpose of the exercise.
The village of Curtorim and Sao Jose de Areal, both located on the outskirts of Margao have come out openly against the notification categorising the villages as urban villages. Both the villages are predominantly agricultural in nature, having a sizeable Scheduled Tribes population.
If the Curtorim panchayat headed by Sarpanch Rui Menezes objected to the notification at the panchayat body meeting held on Friday, the Sao Jose de Areal panchayat led by Sarpanch Vincy Mascarenhas did not lag behind in opposing the government’s move tooth and nail. In fact, the Sao Jose de Areal panchayat will soon have a special gram sabha to deliberate and discuss the issue before taking a resolution to oppose the notification.
At Curtorim, the resolution tabled by Sarpanch Rui Menezes and seconded by Deputy Sarpanch Simon Baretto strongly opposed the notification, saying the Curtorim village is rural in nature, having no urban characteristics to qualify the village as a urban village. “We do not want a change in the rural character of the village by the government notification. The government should immediately withdraw Curtorim from the ambit of the notification,” Deputy Sarpanch Simon demanded.
Sao Jose de Areal Sarpanch Vincy Mascarenhas informed that the panchayat has no knowledge how the government had arrived at the conclusion that Areal village should be an urban area. Besides, the sarpanch lamented that there’s no clarity from the government side why the village has been classified as an urban area. “After discussing the contentious issue at the body meeting, the panchayat members have resolved to oppose the government decision,” Vincy said, adding that the issue will figure at the special gram sabha on the issue. “Areal village has a significant percentage of ST population. Besides, the village has all the characteristics which are predominantly rural,” he said, adding that the resolutions adopted by the panchayat body and the special gram sabha will be forwarded to the local MLA, district Collector, South and other authorities for necessary action.
Some of the other village panchayats, which have been included in the notification for their inclusion as urban areas, have decided to seek clarity on the contentious issue.
Benaulim Sarpanch Ezlina Fernandes told The Goan that the panchayat will approach the district Collector, South with a plea to give clarity on the government notification, proposing to categorise Benaulim as an urban area. “We have no idea what’s the purpose behind the notification and how the move will affect Benaulim, which is a rural area,” she said, while saying that the issue will be placed before the panchayat meeting once the clarification comes from the government and other concerned authorities.
Chinchinim Deputy Sarpanch Valentino Barretto said the notification proposing to designate Chinchinim as an urban area will be opposed by the body. He disclosed plans to place the matter before the panchayat body meeting and also at the forthcoming gram sabha to take a call on the government’s decision. “Chinchinim is a rural area and as per the feed back we are receiving from the villagers, no one would like the village to be designated as an urban area,” Valentino added.Around 10 out of the 30 villages in Salcete have been notified as urban areas in the recent notification, triggering opposition in some panchayat bodies, while others have sought clarity from the government over the actual purpose of the exercise
Curtorim and Sao Jose de Areal, both located on the outskirts of Margao have come out openly against the notification categorising the villages as urban villages. Both the villages are predominantly agricultural in nature, having a sizeable ST population
At Curtorim, the panchayat strongly opposes the notification, saying Curtorim village is rural in nature, having no urban characteristics to qualify as a urban village
Sao Jose de Areal panchayat has no knowledge how the government had arrived at the conclusion that Areal village should be an urban area
Some of the other village panchayats, which have been included in the notification for their inclusion as urban areas, have decided to seek clarity on the contentious issue
