12 May 2008, 0158 hrs IST,Govind Kamat Maad,TNN
MARGAO: Even as the Benaulim gram sabha adopted two resolutions on Sunday
demanding revocation of construction licenses of two building projects, the
agitation against mega projects appeared to be spreading across the coastal
belt.
It what seemed to be the first indication of a mass movement gaining momentum,
villagers of Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Majorda, Betalbatim, Orlim, Carmona,
Cavelossim and surrounding villages have decided to hold a joint meeting at
Dando grounds, Benaulim, at 5 pm on May 12.
The objective is to create awareness among villagers about the problems that
may arise because of mega projects, said the Benaulim Villagers Action
Committee. Representatives of all these villages as well as prominent citizens
of Goa will address the meet. The course of action against mega projects,
including big housing complexes, will be decided at the meeting.
Earlier in the day, with a strong of posse of policemen surrounding the
panchayat building to prevent any law and order situation, residents of
Benaulim exposed various deeds of alleged omission and commission by elected
representatives while granting licenses to a number of construction projects.
After a lengthy discussion, some 600 villagers who attended the gram sabha
meeting adopted two separate resolutions demanding revocation of construction
licenses of two building projects. Alleging that there were many irregularities
in the two projects—lack of requisite setbacks, insufficient garbage disposal
measures, inadequate parking arrangements—the villagers even demanded
initiation of demolition proceedings against a project at Komlam Tollem.
The other resolution pertained to the construction of a multistoried building
by a local builder. The project invited the ire of the villagers for the
failure of the panchayat and the builder in protecting the mundcarial rights of
tenants.
The sarpanch and panchayat members faced a barrage of questions on the alleged
irregularities. Interestingly, in both cases, it was the panchayat members who,
bowing to the wishes of the people, proposed the resolutions.
Voicing apprehensions over the influx of migrant population and the pressure
the construction projects will exert on the existing inadequate infrastructure
in Benaulim, the villagers demanded transparency in all the dealings of the
panchayat.
Considering the rapid pace of construction in Benaulim, it won’t take much
time for this village to turn into a mega
city. Ugly concrete structures have come up in place of once lush green fields
and playgrounds. How many locals can afford to buy an apartment in one of these
buildings? What sense does it make to play host to the outsiders at the cost of
our identity? said Michael Rodrigues, a resident.
Dando meeting today
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MAY 11 – All roads lead to Dando grounds, Benaulim on Monday evening as
people from coastal Salcete – from Majorda to Cavelossim – agitating against
mega housing projects will come under one banner and set the agenda for
commercial housing along the belt.
Tomorrow’s public meeting at 5 pm will be a culmination of the host of corner
meetings and activists held against mega housing projects over the last few
days. The meeting is likely to draw up a plan of action against housing
projects in the villages.
Right from Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Benaulim, Colva, Betalbatim to
Majorda, people concerned over the mega housing are expected to participate in
the deliberations and accord their nod for a host of resolutions, which may set
the tone for deliberations and discussion on housing in the State’s countryside.
That the meeting was announced in some of the Churches during the Sunday Mass
is an indication that citizens opposed to mega housing projects are planning
to organise themselves to carry out a sustained battle against the projects.
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