ANIL SHANKHWALKAR
PORVORIM
Given its strategic location along the highway and between Panaji and Mapusa, Porvorim plateau has been developing at a rapid pace in the past two decades. The location of the Secretariat and Assembly complex, the upcoming high court complex, different government offices and growing commercial buildings have only added to the importance of Porvorim plateau.
Porvorim plateau is by no means a single entity and is under the jurisdiction of six panchayats and two MLAs, Penha-da-Franca, Socorro and Salvador-do-Mundo (represented by Revenue Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte), Reis-Magos, Pilerne-Marra and Sangolda (represented by Housing with Housing Board Minister and Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar). Each of these six panchayats have portions of the plateau and lowlands along the south-eastern parts of Bardez taluka.
Given that Porvorim plateau has not developed uniformly, there have been demands in the past to convert the entire plateau into a single municipality and opinions have largely been divided.
Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza’s recent suggestion that Porvorim can be converted into a municipality has been rejected by both MLAs representing Porvorim plateau and many sarpanchas in the area.
“All three villages in my constituency, Penha-da-Franca, Socorro and Salvador-do-Mundo comprise rural and urban populations. Requirements of those residing in rural areas of these villages will differ from those residing on Porvorim plateau,” remarked Khaunte.
“These villages require urban status and not a municipal council. Residents in these villages would be more comfortable with urban status, while also retaining the identity of the village,” he added.
Salgaonkar pointed out that a major portion of revenue for Pilerne-Marra, Sangolda and Reis-Magos villages, which fall in his Saligao constituency, is generated from commercial and residential structures on Porvorim plateau.
“If the plateau area is detached from these three panchayats, these local bodies would be crippled. Besides, commercial and residential structures on the plateau will be burdened with higher taxes if these areas are brought under the purview of a municipal council,” said Salgaonkar.
Pilerne-Marra Sarpanch Amarnath Govekar said the panchayat earns revenue of over Rs 1 crore from commercial and residential structures on its area of Porvorim plateau.
“If this area is detached and included in the municipality, the panchayat will not be able to carry out any development activities due to paucity of funds. Hence, the government should not convert Porvorim plateau into a municipality,” he added.
Echoing similar views, Socorro Sarpanch Anil Pednekar said there is no need of forming Porvorim Municipal Council. “The panchayats are capable of taking care of their respective parts on the plateau, if more funds are released to them,”
said Pednekar.
