Daijiworld Media Network - Curtorim

Curtorim, Aug 3: Members of the Curtorim village gram sabha on Sunday warned that they would be compelled to halt the functioning of the village panchayat if the proposed housing projects at Maina and other areas were not stopped and scrapped by August 15.

The gram sabha meeting, chaired by Sarpanch Milagres Rodrigues, discussed several issues, including a proposal to develop housing plots on land that previously housed the Mormugao Steel factory.

Leading the discussion, Moreno Rebello urged that the factory land, which falls within an industrial zone, should instead be utilised for setting up non-polluting industries such as pharmaceutical units to generate employment for unemployed youth in the village.

Rebello also appealed to Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who heads the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC), to facilitate the establishment of clean industries on the former factory site instead of permitting residential housing plots.

The gram sabha also opposed Section 39-A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, with members expressing concern that the amendment could have damaging consequences for Goa.

Addressing the gathering, Lourenco said neither he nor the village panchayat had proposed any mega housing projects in Curtorim. He added that the gram sabha had consistently opposed multi-dwelling residential developments with more than two or three units.

Responding to concerns over road widening, the MLA clarified that he had not proposed any plan to widen village roads. The clarification followed objections from members who alleged that road expansion was being considered to facilitate large-scale housing projects.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Moreno Rebello said the gram sabha had given the village panchayat a deadline until August 15 to stop the housing projects at Maina, warning that residents would otherwise be forced to disrupt the functioning of the panchayat.