PANJIM: Following Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vjai Sardesai’s statement that he will change the date of the board meeting to decide on issues raised by villagers coming under the Greater Panaji Planning Development Authority (GPPDA) to after the agitation called by the villagers on April 6, elected panch members of the villages concerned have changed their stand and decided to wait for the meeting and decision on March 19.
Speaking to the media on behalf of the affected villagers, St Cruz sarpanch Mariano Araujo said that the elected panch members of all the village panchayats concerned are with the villagers and hope that the TCP Board will de-notify villagers from GPPDA.
“We are expecting the Minister to take a proper decision in the interest of the people and denotify the villages from the GPPDA. If the grievance is not considered then the members will be forced to remain with the people,” he said.
Speaking further members of the panchas’ panel said all necessary papers and documentation have been submitted to the TCP minister. “If the TCP Board decides against the interests of the villagers then we will be forced to support the villagers’ agitation which is planned to be held after the TCP Board meeting,” the members said.
Panch members of villages coming under the GPPDA expect the TCP Minister to decide in favour of the villagers.
Villagers had decided to have a massive agitation on April 6 despite the assurance from Sardesai to resolve the issues of villagers concerning the GPPDA.
Almost six village panchayats from St Cruz and St Andre constituencies have objected to the inclusion of the villages in the GPPDA and passed resolutions to this effect in the gram sabha.
