The Bombay high court at Panaji had on September 25, 2012, disposed of a writ petition filed by the real estate developer with directions to the panchayat body to take a decision on the application of Ms Talak homes & estate dated January 20, 2008, as expeditiously as possible, and in any event, within 12 weeks from the date of the order.

When the issue had figured at the last gram sabha, members had resolved that the application for construction of the project should be decided by the panchayat by taking into consideration the previous gram sabha resolution. When the file came up before the panchayat meeting, though, members resolved to place the matter once again before the gram sabha for an appropriate decision.

On Sunday, the special gram sabha that was chaired by deputy sarpanch Santan Rodrigues, the matter was placed before gram sabha members who were asked to give their reasons as to why the villagers were opposing housing projects.

Lengthy deliberations ensued, and while villagers were demanding an immediate resolution against the housing project, heated scenes were witnessed as gram sabha members objected to comments made by a panch member, Diosinho Sardinha, speaking from the dais. The villagers were up on their feet and gheraoed the dais where the panch members were seated, and decorum was restored only when Sardinha apologized to the public. Carminho Almeida, an ex-headmaster, was allowed to read the contents of a draft resolution.

“The project is located in a highly eco-sensitive zone which comprises a forested hill range, ancient tribal settlements and the rich paddy fields of ‘Waingnal’. These existing assets are of great economic and social importance and cannot co-exist with the proposed urban settlement” said Almeida.

The villagers had raised a host of objections to the approval of the construction license, including complaints that the housing project would pollute the neighbouring agricultural lands; lack of garbage disposal facilities in Curotirm and that the proposed road widening for the project would displace existing houses on the side of the road.

When the matter had come up for hearing in the High Court, the real estate developers had denied the contents of the objections raised by the villagers.

The post Curtorim villagers kick Talak project out appeared first on Goencho Avaz.

Rego, councillor of ward No 13 and the wife of ex-councillor Arnold Rego won against Sunita Lendes.

The election was conducted through a secret ballot. While Rego got 12 votes, Lendes got five. One vote was invalid and two councillors-Bhavana Bhosle and Lavina D’souza-remained absent.

Deputy collector of Vasco Gaurish Sankhwalkar was the presiding officer. After the election, Rego said, “I will do everything possible to lead the port city towards development.” She added, “Upgradation of the waste management plant and market projects will be given priority.”

Rego also promised development in wards belonging to opposition councillors. The post of chairperson was lying vacant after Sarika Palkar had resigned around two weeks ago.

The post Rego in Mormugao council appeared first on Goencho Avaz.

The battle for a market complex in Chinchinim took another turn after a group of villagers came out and voiced their opposition to the project stating that the villagers did not want the same.

This comes against the backdrop of the recent uproar at the Chinchinim gram sabha held in the first week of November, where a group of residents under the banner of Chinchinim citizens committee (CCC) demanded for the speedy construction of the proposed Chinchinim market complex. Unruly scenes prevailed at the gram sabha and the matter could not be resolved, following which CCC members recently issued a public statement earlier this week stating that the entire village was united in wanting the construction of the market complex.

On Saturday, locals Romico Pereira and Maggie Pereira, who enjoy the support of the Chinchinim panchayat body, stated that CCC was misguiding the people and the people had in fact demanded the scrapping of the market complex. The group of locals said that they opposed the construction of the market complex and had suggested a new project to house various offices.

The post Chinchinim locals don’t want shopping center appeared first on Goencho Avaz.