the goan I network
VASCO
A major confrontation between the Sancoale panchayat and the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) is on the cards, with an angry Sancoale Panchayat on Monday resolving not to clear and approve any files received from the MPDA.
The resolution appears to have been prompted after the Sancoale panchayat did not find any representation in the newly-formed MPDA committee.
Panchayat body members have resolved that all files of any construction activity in Sancoale Panchayat jurisdiction cleared by MPDA will not be approved by the Panchayat, if the Sarpanch and/or a panch member of the panchayat is not included on the MPDA committee before the first official meeting of MPDA on October 10 to be chaired by MPDA Chairman and Cuncolim BJP MLA Clafacio Dias.
Speaking to reporters, Sancoale Sarpanch Girish Pillai said the Sancoale Panchayat has been sidelined by the MPDA.
“Not a single member of the Panchayat is on the new MPDA committee, even though the Sancoale panchayat generates maximum revenue for the MPDA.”
“We have now taken a resolution that if MPDA does not include one member from the panchayat in its committee, we will not clear or approve any files sent to us from the MPDA. When they don’t want us, why should we approve their files which are cleared without the knowledge of a single member from the Sancoale Panchayat,” asked Pillai.
Panch Member Tulshidas Naik said the Sancoale Panchayat had been omitted from MPDA’s jurisdiction in 2012 by former CM late Manohar Parrikar at the request of the Panchayat and was later included in MPDA in 2013 after MPDA faced financial issues and did not even have money for salaries.
“We did not get any representation in the MPDA committee since we have been included again. Technically, the sarpanch of Sancoale Panchayat should have been automatically on the MPDA committee but that is not happening and we have been bypassed,” said Naik.
“Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha should have recommended the sarpanch and another panch in the new committee. Even Chicalim Panchayat has got a representation but we have been sidelined. We should have our representative to check for technical aspects of works sanctioned in our jurisdiction. We will reject any files sent to us from MPDA if our members are not placed in the committee,” said Naik.
Essential to have villages represented on MPDA: Alina
VASCO: Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Monday said it was essential to have a local representative of all villages on the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA).
The representatives, Alina, said would help the MPDA in identifying eco-sensitive areas of their respective villages.
Saldanha was speaking to reporters after being asked to comment on Sancoale Panchayat’s resolution not to clear or approve files sent from the MPDA till the panchayat gets representation in the MPDA committee.
“There might have been some confusion, but definitely there should be a representative from Sancoale village in the MPDA. If we need proper planning, then we need proper information about the village and the locality of the proposed projects.”
“Other villages have representation and some areas even have three representatives, hence it is unfair that Sancoale does not have even a single representation on the MPDA committee,” said Saldanha.
“This needs to be rectified and I have already written to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. I am sure that he will resolve the situation. I have already suggested a member from the Sancoale panchayat and if the CM approves of it, the person can be included in the MPDA committee,” said Saldanha.
