MAPUSA
Joining a growing chorus of opposition to the controversial Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, the Tivim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the provision be scrapped.
The resolution comes a week after the gram sabhas of Aldona, Assagao and Nachinola adopted similar resolutions calling for the repeal of Section 39A, which has drawn criticism over the large-scale conversion of land.
The Tivim gram sabha also passed another key resolution urging the village panchayat not to grant permission for major construction projects unless they are preceded by a scientific study of the village's carrying capacity.
Raising the issue, local resident Robert Colaco alleged that nearly three lakh square metres of land in Tivim had been converted under Section 39A despite objections from villagers.
"Several like-minded villagers have been raising our voice to protect our precious land, but the authorities are trying to suppress these voices. The Tivim Comunidade has filed defamation cases against 22 villagers for challenging and opposing arbitrary and illegal sale of land," Colaco told the gram sabha.
Another resident, Mollie D'Silva, stressed the need for a comprehensive carrying-capacity study before allowing any large-scale development in the village. She said future approvals for mega projects should be based on the village's ability to sustain additional development.
The gram sabha unanimously adopted both resolutions following a discussion.
During the meeting, resident Nilesh Salgaonkar raised concerns over the conversion of a large private property at Maddel, which he said had earlier served as a playground.
He also questioned how a road was allegedly permitted through comunidade land for the project.
Responding to the allegation, Sarpanch Michael Fernandes clarified that the panchayat had not granted any permission for the construction of the road.
The meeting also witnessed discussion on the State government's 'Mhaje Ghar' and 'Mhaje Flat' housing schemes.
When villagers sought details about the schemes, Fernandes admitted that he did not have sufficient information to explain them. Villagers then suggested convening a special gram sabha with officials from the concerned department to brief residents on the schemes.
The condition of the Tivim football ground also figured prominently during the meeting. Colaco complained that the ground lacked a gate, allowing cattle to enter and damage the playing surface. He also alleged that the work carried out at the ground was of poor quality.
Another resident, Rameshwar, said the issue had been repeatedly discussed without any concrete solution.
Fernandes assured villagers that he would convene a meeting of the supervisory committee and the contractor to resolve the long-pending issues. He added that plans were also underway to construct a changing room and toilet facility at the ground.
The gram sabha also discussed the demand for a speed breaker at Bonglo, Tivim, with the sarpanch assuring villagers that the matter would be pursued with the concerned authorities.
