Herald, 3 May 2008, p. 1 People’s power prevails, Benaulim to axe three housing projects BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 2 – Benaulim Panchayat on Friday finally bowed down to the demands of local villagers against controversial mega housing projects approved by the body. Amidst uproar and bedlam, the panchayat took a far-reaching decision by agreeing to revoke the construction licences of the three controversial mega housing projects. That’s not all. A joint meeting with the villagers resolved not to entertain any more mega housing projects in the coastal village till the existing pathetic infrastructure is upgraded to meet the future requirements. Sarpanch Maria Fernandes later told Herald that the panchayat would issue notices to the builders of its decision to revoke the licence for violating the licence conditions. She said the builders have misrepresented the facts by showing an 8-meter road on the plan, when the existing road is hardly 2.5-3 metres. The sarpanch further maintained that no mega housing project would be entertained by the panchayat in the near future and that mega constructions would be placed before a committee for screening and decision. These decisions were taken after a three-hour long marathon meeting of the panchayat members, MLA Mickky Pacheco, government officials and members of the Benaulim Villagers Action Committee, which witnessed heated exchanges between the villagers and panch members and intense questioning of government officials over their role in approving the projects. The sapranch and panchas, including two women panchas, came under fire from the villagers, At point, the villagers were seen charging towards the women panchas, but were kept at bay by others before the situation could go out of control. Benaulim Villagers Action Committee Chairperson Geraldine Fernandes exposed the authorities, including officials of water supply, PWD roads, besides the panchayat secretary for their sins of omission and commission while approving the housing projects. She demanded to know from the engineer (water supply) whether the panchayat had obtained permission to cut the road for laying a water pipeline. She wondered how and from where the new housing projects would be supplied water when benaulim is facing acute water shortage. Geraldine also pulled up Town Planner B Bykad for approving the plan by showing an eight meter road when there exists only a 2.5 meter wide road. Mickky clarified that he is in no way connected with any of the housing projects or its approval and strongly favoured a system, wherein the ward panch, villagers and citizens committee sit down and discuss before approving the projects. The MLA maintained that it’s the responsibility of the local body to first ascertain the existing infrastructure before taking any decision. Mickky, however, came under fire from people when he feigned ignorance about a resolution passed by the panchayat last year, restricting construction activity within 800 square meters. “The panchayat neither informed me nor sent the resolution to the government. The panchayat should have forwarded the resolution to the government for approval,” he said.
-- Question everything -- Karl Marx