Penha de Franca panchayat members and villagers are expressing discontent after a portion of the panchayat was included in the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) without the consent of the civic body. Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar and other panchas are urging the concerned department to withdraw the decision to avoid a potential agitation similar to the one in Pernem. A notification regarding the inclusion of a section of the panchayat area in NGPDA was published on November 24, 2023.
In response to the situation, a special gram sabha is scheduled for December 12 at the Science Park and Centre hall at 10 am to discuss the issue with the villagers. Earlier objections were raised by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane on January 6, 2023. Rane had assured that only specific areas, including the High Court, Secretariat, and Assembly, would be included in NGPDA, and a revised notification would be issued soon. The press conference included the presence of ZP member Kavita Naik, dy sarpanch Dipali Vernekar, and other panch members.