Old Goa
The issue of Santa Cruz areas being included in GPPDA was discussed at the Santa Cruz gram sabha on Sunday, even as the villagers appointed a committee to study the issue and make further suggestions at the special gram sabha to be held on December 9.
The issue was raised at the meeting as a public notice was published that the land-use map and register of Bambolim Planning area, which forms part of GPPDA, were ready and that objections to the same should be submitted within 30 days.
The villagers said that since it is a sensitive issue the same needs thorough deliberation.“The issue needs to be thoroughly discussed,” Elsa Dias stated and suggested that a committee be appointed to study the same. “The committee will deliberate on the land-use map and register and then explain in detail at the special gram sabha,” Dias added.
Later, a committee was appointed to study the plan.
The appointed committee members will now meet on December 1 at 4 pm in the panchayat hall.
The issue of identifying open spaces was also discussed with villagers urging the panchayat authorities to take help of approved plans to identify the same.
However, the authorities informed that the panchayat does not have plans of sub-divided properties which were approved more than 25 years back.
“In the absence of such plans there is difficulty in identifying the open spaces,” the villagers were told. However Peter Gonsalves pooh poohed the claims and counter questioned how applicants are still being granted approvals for construction in plots of such sub divided properties. “Don’t these people submit plan along with their application for licences?” Gonsalves further posed.
Other villagers also joined the chorus and accused the panchayat authorities of trying to favour the builders so that these open spaces are sold. Caught in a catch 22 situation, the panchayat authorities then urged the people to provide copies of plans of sub-divided properties to enable the panchayat to identify open spaces in the village.
The issue of cracks appearing on the road at sluice gate near Four Pillars was also highlighted with Renato Dias urging the panchayat to take remedial action before any untoward incident occurs. Meanwhile, Elsa Dias also made awareness on preparing the GPDP. She explained about different proposals that could be taken up under the plan for which the Centre grants funds under the 14th Finance Commission.
