'Village first' policy could become model for other panchayats in State
MAPUSA
Amid growing unrest across the State over large-scale zone changes under Section 39(A) of the TCP Act, and with several village panchayats passing resolutions against mega projects and demanding studies on village carrying capacity, Parra panchayat in Bardez has taken a decisive step by formally adopting a comprehensive policy to regulate the grant of construction licences after the issuance of Technical Clearance (TC) by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department.
The policy approved by the gram sabha last year and reaffirmed at a subsequent fortnightly meeting, lays down stringent environmental, infrastructural and planning safeguards that project proponents must satisfy before being granted a construction licence.
Beyond technical clearance
While the TCP Department grants Technical Clearance based on zoning provisions under the Regional Plan and the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010, the Parra panchayat has clarified that such clearance does not confer an automatic right to build.
The policy underscores that Technical Clearance is limited to technical conformity with land-use zoning and building norms and does not account for the cumulative burden on village infrastructure such as water supply, power, roads, sewage systems, waste management and environmental sustainability.
“The policy is not merely a procedural framework; it is a collective pledge to protect the soul of the village,” said Parra Sarpanch Daniel Lobo.
“In recent years, Goa has witnessed skewed and unbalanced development that has altered landscapes, disrupted ecosystems and eroded the way of life that has long defined our local communities. Our villages are not just rural settlements; they are living and breathing heritage. Preserving them means safeguarding our environment, honouring our roots and ensuring a sustainable future that generations to come can be proud of,” Lobo stated.
Key checks, safeguards
Following are the key checks and safeguards before construction licence is finally issued by panchayat:
Height restrictions: Buildings are restricted to two storeys (Ground + 1) with a maximum height of 9 metres, to maintain village scale and prevent skyline disruption
No multi-dwelling apartments: Apartment complexes and multi-dwelling units that burden local infrastructure will not be approved
Water protection measures: No borewell NOCs will be issued due to falling groundwater levels. Rainwater harvesting is mandatory for all new projects. Domestic water cannot be used for swimming pools and tanker water must not be sourced from within the village
Power sustainability: Mandatory installation of solar panels sufficient to meet average energy needs of units and common areas
Sewage controls: Strict standards for septic tanks and sewage treatment plants (STPs), with treated water to be reused for landscaping and zero discharge during monsoons
Waste management: On-site segregation and composting of wet waste will be compulsory
Tree and heritage protection: Tree surveys will be mandatory before licence issuance. Heritage trees cannot be felled. Replantation at three times the number of trees cut, with saplings of 6–8 feet height, must be implemented before occupancy
Road and access norms: Existing road width on site – not proposed roads in planning documents – will determine approval. Commercial use of residential premises will be prohibited to avoid traffic congestion
The policy also emphasises conservation of water bodies, heritage homes and traditional zones such as ‘Maddani Road’ and Portuguese-era houses in Bokyachi Aradi and Gama Vaddo
P'yat’s constitutional mandate
Invoking the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the policy asserts that local self-governing bodies have the authority to regulate development in matters concerning land, water, environment, sanitation and community assets.
It reiterates that the panchayat has the right to reject, curtail, impose conditions on, or grant limited permissions for construction projects after independently verifying infrastructure capacity.
Post-occupancy audits and ground verification by the panchayat are also part of the enforcement mechanism.
“We seek to ensure that a village remains a village. It is a conscious step to balance progress with preservation – development, but never at the cost of our environment, culture and identity,” Lobo said.
He described the initiative as an assertion of grassroots democracy.
“It is about strengthening local governance, restoring faith in local leadership and reaffirming the panchayat as the true guardian of our shared heritage,” he said.
A model for
other villages?
The policy was drafted with inputs from senior counsel Adv Norma Alvares and a team of legal and technical experts.
Lobo has urged other panchayats across the State to study the framework and adapt it to suit their own village contexts.
At a time when debates over zoning changes and mega projects continue to polarise the State, Parra’s move signals an attempt by a village body to reclaim planning oversight and embed environmental and infrastructural accountability into the development process – potentially setting a precedent for other panchayats in Goa.
