CALANGUTE: The special Candolim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously resolved to oppose the government’s move to include Candolim in North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA), while the Calangute gram sabha was postponed to December 14.
Candolim Sarpanch Sandra Fialho informed media persons that the Candolim villagers opposed the government’s move to include Candolim village in NGPDA.
A resolution was adopted after deliberations at the specially convened gram sabha.
Speaking to Herald, former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said he explained to the villagers that the Candolim village will in no way benefit by inclusion into the NGPDA and the ultimate beneficiaries would be the builders. “With inclusion in NGPDA, fields, low-lying areas and hills will be converted to suit the purpose of the builders, as these are the only places left for development,” said Fernandes.
“The fishing community members are made to believe that the inclusion in NGPDA will help them to regularize their houses, but the fact is the regularization can only be done by GCZMA and the panchayats,” added Fernandes.
Tomazinho Cardozo, former speaker and former Calangute MLA, also voiced his opposition to the inclusion of Calangute and Candolim in NGDPA. He questioned why only Candolim and Calangute is being included, while the other coastal villages of Goa are left out if it was meant to benefit the people.
Meanwhile, specially convened Calangute gram sabha had to be adjourned following the request of the villagers. The gram sabha members opined that there is no point in holding the same with low attendance, as it was to decide the future of Calangute. Acceding to their request, the meet was postponed to December 14.
