Mickky throws weight against housing project at Betalbatim

Mickky throws weight against housing project at Betalbatim
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 28
Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco joined the villagers of Betalbatim on Sunday to demand revocation of NOC issued for a housing project on grounds the project was approved without taking into account basic amenities such as water, light and roads and that the project would not benefit the locals.
In fact, Pacheco virtually grilled the Sarpanch Minguel Pereira on the question of granting NOC for the project, before the gram sabha adopted a resolution opposing the project tooth and nail.
“It should not appear to the villagers that the housing projects are coming up in the village at my behest”, Pacheco said, and asked the Sarpanch to put up all housing proposals in the Panchayat notice board for suggestions and objections from the villagers.
He demanded to know how a housing project can be approved by the Panchayat without basic amenities. When the sarpanch and the Panchayat secretary pointed out that the Panchayat was forced to clear the project as per the orders of the Additional Director of Panchayats, the Minister sought to know whether the Panchayat had mentioned that the body would not process any housing file in the absence of basic amenities.
The Minister suggested to the Sarpanch to first seek the suggestions and objections from the villagers on housing project on the question of basic amenities before the file is forwarded to TCP for approval. “People talk behind my back that the projects are being passed with my blessing”, he said.
When the Sarpanch and other panch members said they are with the people, Pacheco sought to know how the Panchayat can now revoke the NOC and asked the Sarpanch not to give any chance for the contractor/builder to get the permissions from the court.
He demanded to know whether Betalbatim villagers have in any way benefited by the housing projects, adding that the housing projects have only open the village doors for outsiders to come and settle in the village.
The Minister further demanded to know the contribution of the contribution of the contractors and builders towards the development of Betalbatim village.
After much discussions, the gram sabha adopted a resolution to appeal against the order of the Deputy Director of Panchayats, South  on grounds that the revised plan of Sapna Imperial was not placed before the gram sabha in compliance of the previous gram sabha resolution and that the plan does not fulfill the requirements of road width. It was further resolved that henceforth all proposals of housing projects should be displayed on the Panchayat notice board for the information of the villagers.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister announced at the gram sabha meeting that he has prepared a master plan for Betalbatim village and the same will be placed in the panchayat office for suggestions and objections from the villagers.
He also called upon the Panchayat body to identify all open spaces in the village, promising to provide funds for their development. Pacheco has proposed to develop the road junctions besides the roads leading to the beach out of funds from the Tourism department.
Sarpanch Minguel Pereira later told newsmen that the Panchayat would go in appeal against the order of the Deputy Director of Panchayats as demanded by the locals. On the migrant issue, the Sarpanch said the committee constituted by the panchayat would visit each and every house to ascertain the number of houses let out to the migrants.