the goan I network
PANAJI
The government notification on Saturday declaring 56 major villages as urban areas has raised eyebrows of many concerned citizens in the State. Around 30 percent of the total of 191 villages have been declared “urban villages”. The notified “urban villages” include coastal and villages having riverfront CRZ areas. This has raised the serious question of whether the move has any relation to overcome CRZ restrictions for constructions?
While raising questions about the notification, renowned Advocate Carlos Alvares Ferreira said: “Aldona and Moira villages along with many other beautiful villages notified as “urban area” under Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. For what purpose? Is it to facilitate the mass destruction of these lovely villages? Is this the beginning of the end?”
“Goa’s true life is in villages. The beauty of Goa lies in villages. By classifying these villages into urban areas you will allow it to become mini-Bombay. Which means the destruction of beautiful Goan villages? While notifying such decision there is a hidden agenda for reclassification of areas for allowing unbridled development,” he added.
An NRI Goan, John Sequeira from Cansas, has this message on his Facebook post: “What are the grounds of this policy of urbanization and what are the terms and conditions, Can anyone elucidate what parameters will change with reference to buildings and infrastructure? what is the reason for this change”.
Congress too has condemned the move saying that the government is trying to destroy Goa as early as possible.
“Congress party strongly condemns the urbanisation of Goa. The pristine villages that stood out, charm beauty of Goa is going to be destroyed. Government is trying to destroy Goa as early as possible,” said Congress spokesperson Trajano D’mello.
Congress MLA Aleixo
Reginaldo Lourenco said he will not allow Curtorim and Raia (both villages notified in the list) to be made urban areas. “We want our villages and we have maintained them not for the government to do what it wants. Our people’s wish comes first,” he said.
Goa Under Secretary of Revenue Department Sudin Netu issued the notification, which declared 56 villages from nine talukas as urban areas.
“In exercise of powers under section 3 subsection (38) of the Goa Land Revenue Code 1968 (act no 9 of 1969), the government hereby notifies the following as urban areas for purpose of this act,” read the notification that contained the names of the villages.
The highest number of villages which are marked as urban areas belong to Bardez taluka, which includes the beach belt of Calangute, Candolim and Anjuna.
One village each from Sanguem, Quepem, Sattari, Bicholim, which are predominantly rural areas, is marked as urban area.
