Margao : Citing concerns about depletion of resources, villagers of Raia, during their gram sabha on Sunday, resolved that before the panchayat decides on any construction files involving more than 10 units, they should be placed before the gram sabha.
The resolution came after a villager said that a large project was proposed in Arlem. Villagers questioned how such a project could be approved without a proper garbage disposal system. Chaos broke out when the file was examined and found to have been allegedly signed by another panchayat member.
Gram sabha member Marlon Rodrigues recalled that the panchayat had earlier resolved to present all such large projects before the gram sabha. Other villagers supported this view, leading to the new resolution.
The gram sabha also resolved to conduct a survey of migrants living in the village to ascertain numbers and identify landlords providing rental accommodation, enabling the panchayat to verify rent payments.
Villagers Anthony Barbosa, Manuel Barbosa, and Albert Fernandes asked why the panchayat was delaying household wet waste collection. They said uncollected waste was accumulating on roads and spoiling the village’s image.
Former sarpanch Mario D’Souza said that the Cacora waste treatment plant was ready to accept Raia’s waste if the panchayat handled collection. Sarpanch Jacinta Dias said the garbage management committee would first discuss the issue before the panchayat took a decision.
Another resolution by Joaquim Fernandes called for an increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for local residential houses in light of increased government fees. It was also resolved to ask the Block Development Officer and other authorities to stop a project on land levelled after hill cutting.
A congratulatory resolution moved by Anthony Barbosa commended the central and state BJP governments for passing the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2025.
He urged the panchayat to display a photograph of late Antonio Gaonkar, former Raia sarpanch and Scheduled Tribe leader, in recognition of his service to the community.
