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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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Herald, 19 May 2008
Salcete thunders again
Salcete again thundered on Sunday against mega housing projects,
with the gram sabhas of Curtorim and Benaulim village panchayats
unanimously coming out against the housing projects and setting
out people’s agenda for housing in the villages.
No projects beyond ground-plus one
Margao (HR): The gram sabha meeting in one voice resolved to scrap
a housing project by Talak Homes and properties at Fondegal and
unanimously decided not to allow any project beyond ground-plus one.
The gram sabha meeting authorized the panchayat to reject any
construction file with applications for more than ground-plus one
buildings.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who attended the gram Sabha,
called for a review of the housing policy by the Government and
came out strongly in favour of low-density housing.
While rejecting the file put up by Talak Homes and Properties, the
gram sabha said the project, if approved will affect the rich
forest land in the vicinity.
Besides, the gram sabha members felt the construction activity
will destroy the fertile paddy fields, lakes and water bodies
which are relied upon by the farmers for irrigation.
Since the project will invite new settlers in the village, the
gram sabha said the project would affect power and water supply.
Villagers also felt that the project needs broader roads for
additional vehicles.
It was also felt that the area where the project is being proposed
is ecologically sensitive land and wondered where the garbage
generated in the housing colony will be disposed.
The project file was placed before the gram sabha meeting as a
2004 gram sabha resolution mandated the panchayat not to approve
any mega housing project without the approval of the gram sabha.
A demand was also put forth that no plots in Curtorim should be
sold to outsiders. It was also demanded that the housing plots
should have all facilities before being sold to the sellers.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco later while speaking to Herald
underlined the need for a review of the housing policy, while
favouring low-density housing. “I strongly feel that any housing
project should be restricted to ground-plus one storey buildings”,
he added.
Asked to react to the ongoing movement against mega housing
projects in Salcete, Lourenco said the Government has to
understand the sentiments of the people. “There’s no mechanism in
the villages for garbage and sewage disposal. There’s a
repercussion on the environment. One should understand the
sentiments of the people”, he added.
Curtorim Sarpanch Veena Lourenco told Herald that today’s gram
sabha has opposed mega housing projects in the village. The gram
sabha has armed the Panchayat with powers to reject the files of
mega projects, she said.
Ban projects beyond 800 sq mts
Margao (HR): The ongoing battle against mega-housing projects
continued unabated in Benaulim, with today’s gram Sabha insisting
that no housing project beyond 800 sq meters of land should be
permitted in the village and gave its approval for only
ground-plus 2 storey structures.
The gram Sabha further demanded that the Panchayat body revoke all
mega housing projects approved by the body in violation of the
gram Sabha resolution dated January 26, 2007 banning projects
beyond 800 sq mts of land.
It was also resolved to revoke the construction licences of three
mega projects for various irregularities.
For the first time since the agitation against mega housing began
in the village, all the panch members, barring one, stood up at
the meeting and expressed their support to the people’s agitation,
which was welcomed with thunderous applause from the members.
Gram sabha members further insisted that the panchayat implement a
resolution not to allow major housing complexes and hotels, which
could create garbage problem for the village.
“Check all housing complexes for irregularities and which have
come up beyond ground-plus two. For whom are these structures, for
the politicians”, asserted Geraldine Fernandes, Chairperson of
Benaulim Villagers Action Committee.
Seby Fernandes said that the mega housing projects would go only
if the people of Benaulim rule the Panchayat body. “The present
lot of elected representatives are only dogging the people. They
should do justice”, he demanded.
The gram sabha meeting witnessed a furore as agitated members were
not receiving replies from the sarpanch over their questions on
violation of rules by the builders. Members pointed out that the
builders have violated rules relating to setbacks, access roads,
but have gone scot free because of inaction by the panchayat body.
The members called for adjournment of the meeting, demanding that
the sarpanch come well prepared for the meet.
Geraldine later told newsmen that any housing project beyond 800
sq mts or above ground-plus two will never be acceptable to the
villagers of Benaulim. “The people’s court has given the verdict.
No mega housing project beyond 800 sq mts of land or above
ground-plus two storey”, she asserted.
She said Benaulim was once famous for the coconuts, but lamented
that coconut trees are now been gradually replaced by mega buildings.
--
Question everything -- Karl Marx
