Team Herald
VASCO: Sancoale residents said they would fight tooth-and-nail to ensure that the village remained under the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department and did not become a part of Vasco planning area.
They claimed to be unaware that the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) had decided to move a file to the government with a request to include Sancoale in the Vasco planning area as MPDA was facing financial crunch ever since the village was removed from its jurisdiction two years ago.
“I was shocked to know about MPDA’s plan. We were under MPDA till 2013. After several discussions with the government, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar fulfilled our demand by excluding Sancoale from Vasco planning area and keeping it under TCP as the villagers did not want mega projects,” said Tulsidas Naik, a social activist from Sancoale.
Sancoale residents complained about improper basic amenities, like water, electricity, roads, and garbage collection in the village. They claimed more projects in village by land sharks would only add to Sancoale’s burden. They have also decided to raise the issue at the next gram sabha.
“We want to preserve the village’s identity and not convert it into a city. Chicalim is slowly facing issues. We will not support such decisions and will take to the streets to ensure that the village remains under TCP,” said Narayan Naik, an RTI activist from Sancoale.
Panchayat members supported the locals. They said they would take another resolution in the upcoming gram sabha to oppose any move to bring Sancoale under Vasco planning area.
“Why does the government want to put people under pressure? We want development, but not at cost of the village’s identity. The panchayat feels that the decision to put Sancoale under MPDA is not in the interest of villagers,” said panch member Ramakant Borkar.
