Demand carrying capacity study of village, action against illegalities
Members raise questions over housing projects coming up in the village at Orlim gram sabha.
MARGAO
Members of the Orlim gram sabha on Sunday demanded a carrying capacity study as they expressed their strong reservations over housing projects coming up in the village.
The gram sabha also saw a lengthy discussion on illegal commercial establishments operating in the village, with members demanding action against the illegalities.
At the Sunday gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Simon Pereira, members raised questions over the issue of housing projects coming up in the village, with further queries whether the village carrying capacity can sustain the increasing number of projects.
Gram sabha member Kim Miranda wondered whether the characteristics of a village will remain or disappear if high rise buildings are allowed in the village. She has demanded a carrying capacity study before granting approvals for housing projects.
Sarpanch Simon later told the media that the Panchayat would write to the concerned departments on the questions raised by the gram sabha members on the carrying capacity study.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha discussed the issue of illegal businesses run in the village with members calling for a crack down on illegalities.
During discussion on the Panchayat proposal for reassessment of tax, members sought to know the reasons behind the delay in initiating action against a business establishment run from a shed. The members demanded to know whether the shed from where the business is operated is illegal or illegal, as they demanded action against the illegalities.
The Sarpanch later told the media that the Panchayat had moved a proposal to reassessment of house since it was not carried out for the last so many years. He said gram sabha members have given their suggestions on the Panchayat proposal, saying the suggestions will be discussed at the Panchayat body meeting before they are placed for discussion at a special gram sabha.
Gram sabha member Keith Gracias told the media that the gram sabha members have been raising the issue of illegal structures for the last 2-3 years, lamenting that no action has been forthcoming from the Panchayat body. “We have heard the Panchayat conducting inspections and no follow up action. At today’s meeting, gram sabha members have told the Sarpanch to initiate action against the illegalities”, Gracias added.
