MARGAO: In a major boost to the agitation of the Carmona villagers, four panchas – a majority in the seven member panchayat – have signed a resolution to revoke the construction licence to the Raheja project.
While the move was celebrated by the 150-plus locals standing outside the panchayat meeting hall, acting sarpanch Orlando Da Silva claimed that the resolution is not valid as it was signed after the panchayat meeting had ended. He added that he had chaired the meeting, and it was only after he had left and was seated in his cabin that the resolution had been adopted.
However, the four panchas countered that the meeting was still underway when they had signed the resolution and that the panchayat has to send a show-cause notice to Raheja based on their resolution.
The biggest takeaway from the panchayat meeting on Saturday was that panch Divina Rodrigues joined her colleagues Lavita Dias, Carlos Jorge and Prisco Rodrigues in opposing Rahejas and jointly passed the resolution to revoke the construction licence to the project based on the irregularities found, besides suppression of facts.
It is to be noted that when the Raheja issue had been taken up at the end of the meeting, the four panches demanded that it be put for voting and had also supported the motion.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Carlos clarified that the acting sarpanch and two panches walked out of the meeting when it was still in progress and that the resolution was valid.
Accusing Orlando of misleading the panchas, Carlos stated that the four panchas have decided to move a no-confidence motion against the deputy sarpanch. He reiterated that they were with the people and has done what they wanted.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva castigated the authorities for serious lapses and ignoring notings even from the former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. He has warned that even if the panchayat fails to revoke the construction licence, he will continue to fight it and pursue the matter with the government.
He also pointed out that panchayat has the powers to revoke the licence with the same powers they had used to issue it.
When asked if he would push for the dissolution of the panchayat, he stated that he will not interfere in the panchayat’s functioning, but he will still continue the fight.
Meanwhile, Orlando has accused Raheja’s opponents of targeting only him instead of fighting against the authorities that granted technical clearance to the project.
Reacting to questions about the site inspection that was held without first placing the file at a panchayat meeting, Orlando blamed the former panchayat secretary Krishna Dessai for not following due procedure.
Incidentally, Dessai had been transferred two days before the meeting, but he attended the same along with the new panchayat secretary Dinesh Gaonkar. Police were also present to maintain law and order during the meeting.
After the meeting, triumphant villagers held a candlelight procession to the church and promised to follow up on the inspection carried out earlier this week by the Town and Country Planning department (TCP), who are yet to submit their inspection report.
The TCP inspection was discussed at the panchayat meeting, with Orlando stating that he is in favour of the panchayat waiting until the TCP acts. During the meeting, Orlando wanted to revoke the construction licence only if the TCP revoked the technical clearance issued to the project.
Panchas Lavita, Carlos and Prisco also exchanged allegations with Orlando. The trio accused him of misleading them when they were working in good faith, while Lavita also alleged that Orlando had tried to pressurise her to act how he wanted her to act.
Orlando refuted the allegations and pointed out that the construction licence cannot be revoked by the panchayat until the TCP withdraws its clearance. He added that they will wait for the TCP’s inspection report and place it before the gram sabha. It was also proposed to convene the extraordinary gram sabha on October 11.
Villagers outside the meeting hall recalled how Orlando himself had recently downplayed the value of the gram sabha and stated that they would fight until the panchayat revokes the licence. The marathon meeting saw some chaotic scenes, but in the end, the villagers were pleased with the outcome.
