Govt revives shelved proposal; 10 villages again under consideration; panchayat views sought within 30 days
MARGAO
As the State government has initiated the process to revisit its over-half-a-decade-old proposal to notify 56 villages across Goa as “urban areas” under the Goa Land Revenue Code, nearly one-third of Salcete’s villages have once again come under consideration for inclusion as urban areas.
As part of the move, 10 villages in Salcete — Aquem, Benaulim, Chinchinim, Curtorim, Davorlim, Nuvem, Raia, Sao Jose de Areal, Varca and Verna — are proposed to be notified as urban areas. These villages were earlier included in a notification issued on January 30, 2020, before the process was subsequently withdrawn following widespread opposition.
Significantly, six of the 10 Salcete villages earmarked for inclusion border Goa’s commercial capital, Margao. They include Aquem, Benaulim, Curtorim, Davorlim, Nuvem and Raia.
The government’s 2020 decision to classify the villages as urban areas had triggered strong protests from residents and elected representatives, prompting the withdrawal of the notification through a subsequent order dated February 18, 2020.
The process to revive the proposal has now been set in motion through a letter dated May 13, 2026, issued by Under Secretary (Revenue-I) Vrushika Kauthankar. In the communication addressed to the Director of Panchayats, Kauthankar referred to the 2020 notification and its subsequent withdrawal.
“Now, the government has decided to revisit the proposal regarding notification of urban areas. In this regard, you are requested to seek comments from the respective villages mentioned in the notification regarding notifying them as urban areas and submit the same to this department for further necessary action,” the letter stated.
Acting on the Revenue Department’s communication, Director of Panchayats Mahadev Araundekar, through a letter dated May 26, directed all Block Development Officers (BDOs) to obtain the views of the concerned village panchayats listed in the January 30, 2020 notification.
The BDOs have been instructed to place the matter before the respective village panchayats, seek their comments on the proposal to classify the villages as urban areas, and forward their responses to the government.
The government has set a deadline of 30 days for the submission of comments from the concerned panchayats, paving the way for further consideration of the proposal.
Decision sparks fresh unrest in Salcete
MARGAO: Protests have erupted around Salcete’s countryside over the government’s decision to revisit the proposal to notify the villages as urban areas.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva has slammed the government’s move as he flagged the decision to include the villages from Velim constituency as urban areas.
Raising strong protest against the proposed re-classification of Chinchinim and Sao Jose de Areal villages as “urban areas”, the Velim MLA reminded the government that this is a dangerous and unnecessary revisit of a failed policy.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Revenue Minister in his capacity as the elected representative of the Velim constituency, Silva expressed his vehement opposition and lodged a formal protest against the government’s renewed attempt to classify the villages of Chinchinim and Sao Jose de Areal as “urban areas”.
“This notification issued by the government vide No. 16/1/1/2020-Rev-I/2980 dated January 27, 2020 to classify 56 villages, including Chinchinim and Sao Jose de Areal, as urban areas had met with widespread public resentment and was subsequently shelved and withdrawn in its entirety via Notification No. 16/1/1/2020-Rev-I/3058 on February 18, 2020,” he said.
Saying there is absolutely no justification for attempting to resurrect a move that the people have already decisively rejected, Silva said the re-classification of these villages will lead to the total destruction of our village life and ecology.
“Our villages currently benefit from protections for khazan lands, paddy fields, and ecologically sensitive areas. Urbanisation would facilitate easier land conversion and strip away these vital safeguards,” he asserted.
While demanding withdrawal of the directives issued by the Panchayat Director, the Velim MLA warned that any further attempt to undermine the rural identity of Velim constituency will be met with intense and sustained public opposition.
Why opposition to urban status
The Velim MLA pointed out that classification as an urban zone can permit nearly three times more construction than a village settlement zone due to increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which our local infrastructure cannot handle.
He also raised the issue of financial exploitation. “Residents will face substantial increases in property taxes, shop licence fees, building fees, and sanitation charges, making the traditional village way of life financially unsustainable,” he said.
Saying the move will spell death to grassroots democracy, the MLA said “transitioning to an urban status would effectively abolish the powers of the panchayat and the gram sabha. Decisions regarding our lands and future would be handed over to distant bureaucrats rather than the local representatives elected by the community”.
Opposition grows to urban tag for
Pale ward over heritage concerns
VASCO: Former Velsao Panch and social worker Roquezinho D’Souza has strongly opposed the proposal to classify Pale ward as an urban area, alleging that the move lacks transparency and could adversely affect the village’s character, heritage and carrying capacity.
D’Souza has submitted a formal objection to the Revenue Department and also written to the Directorate of Panchayats, questioning the rationale behind the proposal that seeks to include only Pale Ward 4 in the seven-ward Velsao panchayat, under an urban area classification.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, D’Souza said he was compelled to act after residents approached him with concerns over a memorandum-cum-notification issued on May 26, 2026.
“A memorandum-cum-notification dated May 26, 2026 proposes to place Pale ward of Velsao Panchayat under an urban area category. Ours is a seven-ward panchayat, and only Pale ward 4 is being considered for this change. I have filed an objection with the Revenue Department seeking clarification on why a single ward is being selected and on whose request this proposal has been initiated,” D’Souza said.
He pointed out that a similar proposal had surfaced in 2020 but was subsequently withdrawn.
“I have submitted documents showing that there was an attempt in 2020 to bring Pale ward under an urban area classification. That proposal was later dropped. I want to know why the same plan has suddenly resurfaced again. The people have a right to know the reasons behind this move and the process through which it has been revived,” he said.
D’Souza further stated that the notification directs the Panchayat Secretary to seek the views and objections of residents and submit a response within 25 days.
Warning against the long-term implications of urbanisation, D’Souza said Pale is a small ward with limited infrastructure and resources.
