The Assagao gram sabha on Sunday witnessed chaotic scenes despite a low turnout, as villagers raised serious concerns over the so-called “forest corrections” and the deteriorating condition of village roads. Sarpanch Hanumant Naik assured villagers of full support, promising that he and his team would act in the best interests of the people.
Villagers strongly objected to the alleged “correction” of forest land into settlement zones, claiming it was a guise for large-scale environmental destruction.
Ranjit Parsekar condemned the removal of hills from the forest map, calling it “not a correction, but rampant corruption.” He highlighted that survey numbers 69/1 and 101/1, covering nearly 3 lakh sq m, were under threat.
Parsekar warned, “Once our hills are gone, so is our green cover, natural water harvesting, and the very fabric of Assagao village.” He demanded a ban on construction in sloping areas and no-development zones.
He also urged the panchayat to pass a resolution that no forest study committee should operate in Assagao without informing the Village Biodiversity Committee and the panchayat. In the past, he said, such committees had unilaterally removed areas from forest classification.
The meeting began with confusion over the previous gram sabha’s minutes regarding road widening.
In light of the Supreme Court’s recent directive to maintain status quo in cases under Section 17(2) of the TCP Act, villagers including Owen Braganza and Alex Rodrigues asked the panchayat to act on illegal constructions.
Naik clarified that the matter was sub judice, and any construction carried out using 17(2) was at the builder’s own risk, as a demolition order could be passed by the court. He assured that concerns would be relayed to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and no further approvals under the controversial provision would be entertained.
Villager Michael Queiroz accused the Comunidade of inconsistency regarding Survey No. 74/1, claiming that the Regional Plan 2023 shows an 8-metre right of way inserted at their behest. An explanation was sought from the Comunidade for the alleged manipulation.
Villagers raised the issue of potholes and the sinking of a newly hot-mixed road, demanding accountability from contractors.
Sarpanch Naik assured that potholes would be temporarily addressed, but the contractor would be instructed to restore the road at his own cost due to substandard work.
Naik also updated the gathering that the long-awaited water treatment plant, initially scheduled for commissioning in February this year, had been delayed but was expected to be operational by the end of the year.