The Saligao gram sabha on Sunday unanimously adopted a resolution opposing Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and also voiced opposition to mega projects in the village. The villagers rightly said that the above controversial Section 39A was being used by the government to convert agricultural fields, bunds and forest land into settlement areas only for the benefit of the builders. They also alleged that mega-projects were being approved by the TCP Department without taking into consideration the lack of basic infrastructure. The villagers later passed a resolution calling for the protection of agricultural land, paddy fields, water bodies and eco-sensitive areas from conversion. Well, many mega-projects (with swimming pools) are indeed slowly coming up on the quiet in residential areas across Saligao against the wishes of the locals. I would like to congratulate some vigilant villagers for coming out in large numbers at the gram sabha meeting on Sunday, for daringly questioning the Sarpanch/other panch members over a variety of issues and finally passing a resolution to stop the ongoing destruction of their village.
JERRY FERNANDES, Saligao
