PONDA: Following a petition filed by a villager challenging the decision of the Bhoma-Adcolna Panchayat regarding the allocation of shops in the newly constructed and inaugurated Banastarim Market Complex, the the High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued an order directing the panchayat to formulate a policy for shop allocations in accordance with the proposal of the Tribal Welfare Department.
It is pertinent to note that the market was constructed by utilizing funds from the tribal welfare fund. The previous Portuguese-era market was demolished, and the new market was inaugurated on August 24, 2023, by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The market complex became operational on September 28, 2023. However, disputes arose between the panchayat and villagers over the allocation of shops.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the shop allocation process, villagers from Bhoma-Adcolna alleged that the majority of shops were allocated to non-Goans by the panchayat, thereby marginalizing local traditional vendors. Faced with the absence of a viable resolution, vendor Tukaram Gaude approached the High Court against both the panchayat and the Tribal Welfare Department.
Regarding the allocation of shops in the new market complex at Banastarim, the High Court has directed the Bhoma-Adcolna Panchayat to establish a shop allocation policy based on the proposal of the Tribal Welfare Department. This proposal, made during the construction phase, aimed to allocate 27 shops and 275 vending areas in open spaces to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
The Tribal Welfare Department had put forth this proposal during the planning stage of the market complex’s reconstruction, and it had received approval and recommendation from the Project Appraisal Committee.
The court has instructed the Panchayat to give due consideration to the proposal presented by the Tribal Welfare Department during the demolition and reconstruction phases of the complex.
