Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Ahead of the scheduled visit of the Chief Minister and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister to Cuncolim on April 17, local leaders have intensified their demand for the scrapping of Section 39A of the TCP Act.
Addressing a joint press conference, Dr Jorson Fernandes, Elvis Gomes and Sammy Tavares expressed solidarity with the “Enough is Enough” movement and urged the state government to adopt the proposals put forward by Justice (Retd.) Ferdino Rebello. The retired judge, a native of Cuncolim, has advocated amendments to protect agricultural land, including the removal of Section 39A.
The leaders called for the provision to be scrapped not only in areas such as Sanquelim, Siridao and Harmal but across the state, citing concerns over large-scale land conversion.
Sammy Tavares invoked Cuncolim’s history of resistance, drawing parallels with the Cuncolim Revolt, and described the current movement as a fight to safeguard Goa’s land and identity.
Dr Jorson Fernandes said Justice Rebello’s recommendations reflected sound legal reasoning and could help preserve Goa’s cultural identity amid increasing external investment pressures.
Elvis Gomes pointed to ongoing agitations, including those in Karapur-Sarvan in Bicholim, and said that rapid real estate development was sidelining local communities. He termed the issue not just a legal matter but a struggle for the state’s identity.
The leaders also raised concerns over transparency in a proposed hospital project in the region. Dr Fernandes called for greater clarity on the facilities planned and demanded the upgradation of the Balli Primary Health Centre to a Community Health Centre, similar to the facility in Sanquelim, to ease the burden on Hospício Hospital in Margao.
Reaffirming their stance, the leaders said they would continue to oppose any policies perceived as threats to Goa’s land and heritage.
