An overwhelming majority of the Socorro Gram Sabha resolved to reject the
RP-2021 in its present form. The SUP for the village was put up for public
display along with a cross-section of the village map showing the actual NDZ
areas and the lack of them in the RP-2021. While a handful of vested interests
tried to dilute the resolution by objecting to specific survey numbers being
pointed out where various ommissions and commissions have taken place in the
SUP, the overwhelming majority apporved the resolution which was read out by
the Village Level Committee that has studied the RP-2021.
Several contradictions like the mention of Socorro (part) as ODP area in
Release 1 and entire Socorro as VP2 under RP-2021 came to light. Others
included private forest being shown as natural cover and khazan paddy fields
being shown as only paddy fields thereby putting these areas in Eco-2 . Several
NDZ areas have been shown as settlement and non-existent roads have been shown
as existing roads which have also been extended into private forests as
proposed roads.
The contradictions in the land use table with provisions for certain
development under special consideration came up for criticism as it was seen as
a source for corruption. The development norms for Eco-tourism which provides
for inclusion of Eco-1 area for calculating FAR in Eco-2 was also ridiculed.
The public was agitated over several private forests on steep hill slopes being
shown as settlement in undeveloped areas of the village. Serious concerns were
raised over the absence of any forest cover and non-existence of wild life in
the 3 talukas of Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcette.
The Village level committee had taken great pains to super impose gradients of
hill slopes and several other vital planning details when the draft RP was sent
for consideration to the Village Panchayat in 2009. However the Gram Sabha was
angered to see that none of these suggestions were incorporated but instead the
settlement fence has been found to be increased further and areas in eco-1 have
now been put in Eco-2. A 20 metre road which was proposed under RP-2001 was
allowed to be encroached upon by builders and that alignment has now been
sharply turned to connect with the CHOGM road to avoid intersecting the illegal
constructions.
The Gram Sabha also expressed solidarity with other Gram Sabhas across Goa
where threat to the environment and livelihood along with displacement is
imminent due to the anti-people RP-2021. The Gram Sabha was conducted in a very
peaceful manner.
The Gram Sabha meeting was chaired by Acting Sarpanch Jose Paul Valles and he
was assisted by the V.P. Secretary Kishore Pagi. Most of the Panchayat members
were also present.
-Soter D'Souza
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