Gram Sabha resolutions were passed in Feb 2026 to stop issuing any more permissions to swimming pools and more than 3 residential units for commercial sales. This was with reference to the particular threat of water scarcity issues which Colva village residents are projected to face in the near future. However despite repeated follow-ups, the Colva village panchayat is not taking a stand supporting/adopting these gram sabha resolutions and instead resorting to delaying tactics; so as to allow permissions to be passed in the meantime. The Colva panchayat is well empowered under the panchayat raj act to safeguard the water resources of the village but is conveniently ignoring the same for obvious reasons. Then on the other hand we see some panchayats like Assagao VP which has taken a stand on behalf of the villagers passing gram sabha resolutions and challenging the BDO, DOP, TCP etc well within its legal rights. Can I request Colva panchas to please keep the interests of Colva villagers particularly with regards to the water issue and act with urgency in adopting the resolutions?
ARWIN MESQUITA, Colva
