Team Goemkarponn
CAVELOSSIM: Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz has questioned the motive behind the recent protests against development proposals in the village, alleging that political interests are influencing the growing opposition to various projects.
Vaz said the agitation has included objections related to land use, environmental protection, No Development Zones (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) provisions. He alleged that Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas had been actively involved in some of the recent campaigns.
According to Vaz, disagreements over development should be settled by examining official documents, permissions and applicable regulations rather than through political campaigns. He also alleged that there were efforts to prevent or delay development activity in Cavelossim.
Defending the role of the village panchayat, Vaz said proposals before the local body were processed through the prescribed procedures and that decisions were not taken unilaterally.
On the Ashford SCDC Resorts LLP proposal, Vaz said the panchayat received the application concerning the site in April 2026. The site was subsequently inspected and the proposal was taken up through the panchayat’s process, he said.
Vaz further stated that all seven panchayat members supported the proposal, rejecting the suggestion that the decision was the result of an individual action.
He maintained that the panchayat’s position should be assessed on the basis of the records and process followed in dealing with the project.
