Margao: The Betalbatim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously opposed and rejected the process adopted to invite suggestions and objections to the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 and demanded a period of 60 days to study the document and submit its representation to the state government.
The meeting was chaired by sarpanch Antonio Fernandes.
Gram sabha member Mariano Cotta, speaking about the draft CZMP 2019, said, “We are losing trust in democracy. We need more time to study the plan and file our representation on issues. The voter has the right to give suggestions for the plan. We also unanimously oppose and reject the process for inviting objections to the draft CZMP.The BDO notice is illegal and against the CRZ notifications.”
He called for a special gram sabha on the issue. Locals demanded a fresh public notice granting 60 days and an expert explanation of the report through a special gram sabha.
Concerns were also raised over port limits. “There are a lot of ports suggested, like in Betul. So many have been proposed and the only purpose is for coal to be taken to Mormugao. We have to object to this,” said Cotta.
Questions were also raised regarding the geo-mapping exercise of the entire village. Locals urged the panchayat to make use of the maps to curb illegalities and landfilling in the village.
The sarpanch informed the gram sabha that mapping of waterbodies, drainage and sand dunes had been carried out as part of the geo-mapping exercise.
Aldona refuses to clear draft plan without technical explanation
Mapusa: The Aldona gram sabha on Sunday resolved not to approve any draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) unless complete information, including the plan itself, is made available to the villagers and a technical expert explains its impact on the panchayat’s jurisdiction.
An ordinary gram sabha meeting held on Sunday was presided over by sarpanch Ashwin D’Souza.
During the meeting, the sarpanch informed members that a letter was received from the Environment Department on January 17 regarding the draft CZMP, seeking it approval by January 20. He said that while a link to the plan was shared, it could not be opened.
After discussion, gram sabha members resolved not to approve any CZMP draft until proper information and a complete plan are provided by the Environment Department. It was also resolved that technical officials from the department should explain the plan and its impact on the village to gram sabha members.
During the meeting, it was decided to hold an extraordinary gram sabha to discuss the budget for the year 2026-2027. The process was delayed as panchayat staff were engaged in SIR-related work.
On the issue of hot-mixing of roads in the village, the sarpanch said that repairs to about 90 per cent of the excavated roads in the panchayat area had been completed. He said that the proposal for hot-mixing of roads has been forwarded by the Aldona MLA to the Public Works Department and that the work would be taken up after the monsoon.
Gram sabha member Joseph Fernandes raised concerns regarding the maintenance of the Aldona-Corjuem, Calvim-Carona and Corjuem-Poira bridges and demanded that repair works be undertaken. The sarpanch said that the panchayat would write to the PWD and GSIDC requesting them to take up the necessary works.
