A section of villagers from Kalay-Sanguem has strongly criticised members of the Kalay panchayat for opposing development projects within the wildlife sanctuary area. At a press conference held in Kalay, the villagers accused the panchayat of acting against the interests of local residents by obstructing much-needed infrastructure and employment-generating initiatives.
"Supporting the wildlife sanctuary and neglecting the welfare of villagers is putting people in trouble. Both the village settlement and the panchayat office are situated within the sanctuary area," said former Kalay sarpanch Kishore Rama Gauns Dessai. He argued that it was inappropriate for the panchayat—whose jurisdiction largely falls within the sanctuary—to approach Panaji and request a halt to all development projects crucial for the village’s progress.
Several speakers at the press conference echoed this sentiment. They pointed out that panchayat members themselves reside in the sanctuary area yet oppose development, impacting the entire community’s livelihood. Panchayat member Kimaya Gaun Desai accused the current sarpanch of excluding dissenting members from decision-making processes and development planning.
Villager Krishnanath Desai expressed disappointment that the panchayat was now working against residents’ interests, despite the community’s 25-year-long legal battle with the forest department. He stressed that the halted projects had the potential to generate essential employment in the region.
Other speakers, including panchayat member Suraj Naik, former Sarpanch Viraj Verenkar, and several former panchayat members, stood united in urging the panchayat to reconsider its stance. They called for prioritising village development and livelihood opportunities over bureaucratic roadblocks.