MARGAO — The Benaulim gram sabha on Sunday passed a resolution seeking revocation of licences to all the mega housing projects in Benaulim village with retrospective effect from January 26, 2007.
Changing their earlier stand, all the panchas, including the sarpanch, Ms Maria Fernandes, bowed to public pressure and assured the villagers that they would not allow any mega housing projects in their respective wards and the village at large.
“We do not want projects in our village, which will cause harm to the villager and the children of the village. Since the people of Benaulim don’t want such projects, I too am with you and oppose such mega projects,†the sarpanch said after the villagers sought assurance from all the 11 panchas on the issue.
The sarpanch informed that all the housing projects have been issued inspection notice and that the inspection would be completed within the next fortnight. She also said those violating the laws would be given show-cause notice and action would be initiated. Ms Fernandes promised the gram sabha that report would be presented at the next meeting, which will be held on June 1
The people, who had gathered in large numbers, appreciated the stand taken by the panchas in opposing the mega housing projects. Over 600 people had gathered for the gram sabha, which was re-convened after it got adjourned on May 11.
The Benaulim gram sabha was once again adjourned for the second time till June 1 after the sarpanch failed to give satisfactory replies to many of the queries put forth by the people. The marathon gram sabha which lasted over five hours could take up only six issues for discussion as the villagers alleged that the panchayat is taking the people for granted and wasting their time.
Earlier, the villagers took serious exception to the absence of the Benaulim panchayat secretary, Mr Menino Carvalho. The villagers alleged that Mr Carvalho is avoiding the gram sabhas. However, it was informed that Mr Carvalho is on medical leave and that he had informed the BDO about the same.
The villagers alleged that the panchayat is bypassing procedures and that it has failed to curb irregularities because of their vested interests. They also asked the panchayat to discuss all mega projects with the villagers before issuing licences to them.
Heated arguments continued throughout the day as the panchas and the sarpanch traded allegations and counter-allegations against each other after irregularities in the procedures in issuing licences for the housing projects came to light.
As the people scrutinised the mass irregularities in the housing projects the sarpanch was in a fix as she failed to give proper replies to the queries posed by the villagers. The sarpanch and the stand-in secretary also had to face the ire of the villagers as they failed to take a resolution over a housing project in the village.
The villagers also demanded revocation of licences of all the housing projects which have come up after January 26, 2007. However, pancha, Ms Carmelina Fernandes informed that it would not be possible to revoke the licences of all projects, however, those who have violated the laws would be taken to task.
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