BENAULIM: Just when we thought we had seen or heard it all, during COVID times, there is news from Benaulim, that one group has opposed a proposed health centre to be converted to a 70 bedded hospital. But then ,is anything surprising, these days?
It happened at Benaulim when Village Panchayat along with local MLA Churchill Alemao were firm about going ahead with the proposed Health Centre at Benaulim, and convert it into a 70- bedded hospital. Unexpectedly, a group of people pit up a stern opposition to the proposal. Their bone of contention? That it is low lying. And the protestors felt they couldn’t take it lying down and have planned to move court against the health centre
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Herald learns that the issue is more about relinquishing land and its ownership. The opposing team of people claimed that there is no justification for blocking seven thousand square meters for a Health Centre. This made it apparent that they are not opposing having a Health Centre but apprehensive against the intention of the bodies involved.
Reportedly, a group of locals had opposed the demarcation of the proposed 14-bedded Health Centre at Benaulim, citing that the area is low-lying. This group of locals have also stated that they are not against the project; however, they have an apprehension that some politicians have a hidden agenda behind the project.
Speaking with Herald, Santan Pereira, one of the those in the forefront of those opposing the health centre project said they are not against the setting up of the Health Centre; however, “it should not damage the environment and concerned authorities are hiding the facts pertaining to land”
“The proposed land for the Health Centre is seven thousand square meters and it is hard to digest that such a huge area is required for the 14 bedded Health Centre. There are lots of government structures unused in Benaulim, hence those structures can be utilized for the Health Centre”, he said. He informed that there are a lot of confusions with regards to the land. The land is gifted to Provedoria and according to elders, there is a clause that such land cannot be leased out or sold.
“Provedoria is afraid that if documents are made available then the clause laid down at the time of gifting the land will be exposed”, Pereira claimed. He apprehends that concerned authorities or interested parties will give that land to someone else after a few years.
” There are nearly eight open spaces belonging to Benaulim Panchayat. 600 square meters is there at Colva. There’s a prawns hatchery is laying ideal at Benaulim” pointed out Santan. He also informed that if the issue is not settled he will knock on the door of the judiciary.
LAND LEASED OUT TO DHS FOR HEALTH CENTRE FOR
33 YEARS. DEMARCATION DONE
When contacted, Manoj Umreskar, Engineering Assistant of Provedoria claimed that they have all the ownership rights over the proposed land.
“Yes, we have leased out that land to the Director of Health Services for the sole purpose and that is the Health Centre. It is a lease of 33 years. The demarcation has already been done and it is now under process for further procedure”, he stated.
While the Benaulim Village Panchayat is of the firm decision that the health centre is imminent and the project will see the light of day, despite objection from some of the locals.
“98 per cent of the people of Benaulim are in favour of the proposed Health Centre project. Now, we have even urged our MLA and the government to build a 70-bedded hospital, instead of a 14-bedded Health Centre at the proposed site”, said Deputy Sarpanch of Benaulim, Nilesh Prabhudesai.
He also nullified the claim of the opposition group that the land is a low-lying area by citing, nothing is mentioned on the plan of Town and Country Planning about the same.
“Taking into consideration the population of the coastal belt, a 70- bedded hospital is a need of the hour. The allegation with regard to the proposed land is just for political mileage. There are people who have done encroachment on the land of Provedoria and now they fear action and hence opposing the project”, claimed Deputy Sarpanch.
When contacted Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao said that the process of demarcation of the proposed Health Centre has completed and all the people of Benaulim are in favour of the project.
“Actually at the initial stage, we had proposed for a Health Centre at Benaulim, however now we are planning 70-bedded hospitals. I have already spoken to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in this regards and he has assured me to look into the matter”, he stated.
When asked about the group of people opposing the project of the Health Centre, he said the whole Benaulim Constituency is in favour of the Health Centre and will go ahead with the project.
“Provedoria has already transferred the land in the name of the Health Department, as taking into consideration of COVID-19 pandemic this project is need of the hour. There are few who always oppose”, he said.
