Villagers raise concerns over environment, oppose Sagarmala and Betul port plan
A gram sabha member of Varca panchayat making a point at Sunday’s meeting. Sarpanch Flavia Baretto responds to queries.
MARGAO
The gram sabha of the Village Panchayat of Varca on Sunday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the scrapping of the controversial Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act.
At the Sunday gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Flavia Barretto, gram sabha members also vehemently opposed the Sagarmala project and the proposal of the Mormugao Port Authority to develop Betul as a Port.
Gram sabha members were unanimous in their objection to Section 39A of the TCP Act, saying the controversial section, if not scrapped, will spell doom for Goa and its environment.
Members questioned the Chair over the status of the carrying capacity study proposed at the special gram sabha held sometime back. They demanded to know whether the panchayat is serious in going ahead with the gram sabha or not.
Sarpanch Flavia replied that the panchayat had written to the authorities, including Salcete Block Development Officer, Director of panchayats and the Chief Secretary on the decision taken by the special gram sabha to conduct the village carrying capacity. She, however, said the panchayat is yet to receive a reply from the panchayat authorities till date.
At the special gram sabha, members had demanded that the panchayat conduct the carrying capacity of the village and to keep all multi-dwelling housing projects on hold pending the study.
The issue over the presence of migrant vendors on the beach belt came up for discussions at the gram sabha. Members expressed concern over the migrant hawkers on the beach selling items.
After much discussion, it was decided that the panchayat will appoint security guards to man the beach and to keep the migrant hawkers at bay.
The issue over the sopo collection saw lengthy discussions at the gram sabha.
