Team Goemkarponn
Margao: The Navelim village panchayat has decided to approach the authorities seeking revocation of a construction licence issued for a housing project at Ratawaddo, following objections raised by residents over alleged procedural lapses and lack of proper road access.
At a special meeting held on Monday, the panchayat resolved to request the additional director of panchayats, South Goa, to cancel the licence granted by the panchayat secretary. Members also agreed to demand a joint inspection of the project site after residents claimed that the Town and Country Planning clearance was issued without ensuring a six metre wide access road.
The meeting witnessed strong participation from residents of Ratawaddo, many of whom attended with placards demanding immediate revocation of the licence. They questioned the decision of the panchayat secretary to issue the approval under deeming provisions and pressed the elected body to go beyond objection and formally cancel the permission.
Social activist Pratima Coutinho urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and cancel the project, alleging that approvals were granted despite the absence of the mandated access road. She also called on Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane to examine how clearance was issued.
Panchayat members later wrote to the additional director of panchayats, stating that the licence had been issued following directions from the block development officer of Salcete. The letter said the decision was taken without proper consideration of the panchayat’s resolution and raised concerns over procedural compliance.
The sarpanch, Paul Pereira, said the village body believed the action was “procedurally improper” and contrary to the principles of local self governance. He urged authorities to intervene and revoke the licence in the interest of administrative fairness.
Residents maintained that they would continue their protest until the project approval is withdrawn and a joint inspection is carried out.
